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How to Create a Multiple-Choice Rating Scale with Multiple Selections

Huda Qurayshi Oct 19, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to allow survey respondents to select multiple options within a single row of a rating scale or chart.

How to Create a Multiple-Choice Rating Scale with Multiple Selections

Product: WPS Forms
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Designing a questionnaire where standard single-choice rating scales do not capture all necessary respondent choices.
Observed behavior: Standard rating scales restrict users to only one answer per row, prompting the need for a checkbox-style matrix or multiple-choice grid setup.

Before you start

Before modifying your survey, ensure you have clearly outlined the questions and the exact multiple-choice criteria you want to provide for each row.

Solution 1Recommended

Use a Checkbox Matrix or Multiple-Choice Grid

Replace the standard single-choice rating scale with a checkbox-based matrix to allow multiple selections per row.

A standard rating scale (like a Likert scale) uses radio buttons, inherently limiting the user to one selection per row. To enable multi-selection, you must use a question type that relies on checkboxes instead.

Add a new question

Open your form builder and click the button to add a new question to your survey.

Change the question format

Click on the question type dropdown menu and select 'Multiple-choice Grid', 'Checkbox Matrix', or 'Multiple-choice' depending on the options available in your specific builder.

Set up your rows

In the 'Rows' configuration section, type out the main items or statements you want respondents to evaluate.

Define your columns

In the 'Columns' section, enter the available selection options (e.g., Excellent, Good, Average) that users can choose from.

Preview and test

Click the 'Preview' button to test the form, ensuring you can successfully click multiple checkboxes within the same row.

Use a Checkbox Matrix or Multiple-Choice Grid

Testing Your Form: Always submit a test response to see how the multi-select data appears in your exported spreadsheet results.

WPS Forms

Create Powerful Surveys with WPS Forms

Easily design engaging questionnaires, including complex multiple-choice rating scales and checkbox matrices, using WPS Forms. It offers a highly customizable, drag-and-drop interface perfect for comprehensive data collection.

1. Open WPS Forms: Launch WPS Office and navigate to 'Apps' > 'WPS Forms' to create a new blank form.
2. Select the Matrix Question: Click 'Add Question' and choose the 'Matrix Question' or 'Multiple-Choice Grid' from the advanced question types.
3. Enable Multi-Select: Define your row labels and column choices, ensuring you select the checkbox format so the multi-select capability is enabled.
4. Share and Collect: Publish your form and share it via a generated link or QR code to start collecting responses immediately.

Build professional surveys with an intuitive drag-and-drop interfaceSupport for various question types including multi-select checkbox gridsSeamlessly export form responses to WPS Spreadsheet (fully compatible with Microsoft Excel)Free to use across multiple platforms with cloud synchronization

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I select multiple answers on a standard rating scale?

Standard rating scales, such as Likert scales, are traditionally designed to capture a single metric or sentiment per item using radio buttons. To allow multiple answers, you must switch the question format to a checkbox-based grid.

Can I limit the number of selections in a multiple-choice matrix?

Yes, depending on your form builder's capabilities, you can often set data validation rules within the question settings to restrict the maximum or minimum number of checkboxes a user can select per row.

How is the data exported for multiple-choice rating scales?

When you export the results to a spreadsheet, multiple selections made in a single row are usually combined into one cell (separated by commas) or split into adjacent columns, depending on the tool's export formatting.

Is a multiple-choice grid mobile-friendly?

Modern form builders typically optimize complex grids for smaller screens by automatically adjusting them into stacked, easy-to-read checkbox lists, ensuring a smooth user experience on mobile devices.

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