In a Command Center questionnaire, there are two major types of mask with their corresponding roles:
Input mask: This type is used to force or filter user input to conform to a particular pattern or range.
Note: When using an Input mask the question must not have Choices.
Function mask: This type does not filter user input but is used to access or launch specific functions and external programs from the question.
In some cases, when special data is needed, i.e. that cannot be described exhaustively with choices, you can create a user-defined mask i.e. a string describing a required entry pattern. It is a combination of any character(s), which must be entered by the interviewer, and the following wild characters:
A alphabetic
Z alphanumeric
9 numeric
* any characters
Examples:
During the interview, the mask: |
AA99-Z |
would accept the responses: |
XY87-9 |
|
|
but would not accept: |
8987-9 |
A mask for a North American phone number would be: |
999-999-9999 |
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|
A BLANK mask means "no mask".
The pre-defined masks can be accessed from a cascading list. To display this list, right-click in the Masks field, from the Question tab:
Mask |
String |
Function |
Real number |
Formats a real number to nnn decimal places; the entry will be right justified and filled with leading blanks. Example: For an amount in dollars and cents: $R.2 |
|
$R.nnn mmm nnn
|
Formats a real number within lower and upper bounds. Example: For an amount in dollars and cents, ranging from 1 dollar and 50 cents to 10 dollars: $R.2 1.50 10.00 Note: Avoid using recalls to set the bounds |
|
Integer number |
$E |
Integer number < 32768 Example: age, number of times etc. The entry will be right justified and filled with leading 0’s. |
$E nnn mmm |
Integer number within lower and upper bounds. Example: for an age between 12 and 75: $E 12 75 |
|
Date |
$D |
Date with yyyymmdd, yymmdd or mmdd format, depending on the code width (8, 6 or 4). Note: If data is imported into a question using this mask it must be in yyyymmdd format. |
$D nnn mmm |
Date within specified bounds. Example: $D 20030501 20030615 |
|
Calendar |
$C |
Displays a pop-up calendar from which you can select a date. |
Postal Code |
France |
Displays the postal code using French format. |
Time of day (not in the menu) |
$H |
Displays a pop-up clock from which you can select a time. |
Email address |
$@ |
Checks that the address conforms to the format of an email address. |
Computed questions:
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The Function masks can also be accessed from a cascading list. To display this list, right-click in the Masks field, from the Question tab:
Mask |
String |
Function |
|
Selection |
$S |
See Selection |
Performs single/multiple selection of choices based on complex criteria. See Selection. |
Send email |
$SENDMAIL |
See $SENDMAIL mask |
Sends an email. See $SENDMAIL mask. |