Looking to use or display the response ID within the survey response? We're asked this question quite a bit in Support. We don't have a way to pull in the response ID number as these are assigned when the response is processed. Because the time it takes for a response to process varies based on server load, this means we don't reliably have the response ID available within a given survey response for use with logic, redirects, etc.
But I Need a Unique ID! Is There Something I Can Use Instead?
There are two options available if you are looking to create and use a unique ID in your survey responses.
Survey Counter Merge Code*
*This feature uses a server technology called MemCache to store the IDs and guarantee they are unique. 99% of the time, your counters will reliably keep track of survey respondents, but your counter *may* get reset if a server has to reboot.
This merge code inserts a unique number for the survey that will increment once per response if used only once within the survey:
Example: [survey("counter")]
, which will output 1, 2, 3...
Parameter: safer
You can make this unique number safer to use in a long-running survey by adding the parameter safer
, which automatically adds in the numeric day of the year:
Example: [survey("counter"), safer="true"]
, which will output 441, 442, 443... because today is the 44th day of the year.
Parameter: startat
If you'd like control over the starting value, you can add the parameter startat
to set a custom starting value for the counter:
Example: [survey("counter"), startat="1000"]
, which will output 1001, 1002, 1003...
Parameter: name=secondCounter
Finally, if you need to use more than one counter in a survey, you can add the parameter name=secondCounter
, which creates a second counter which is unique from the first and referred to by the name "secondCounter". Make sure the name is unique, like "Counter2x", that you haven't used in a previous survey.
Example: [survey("counter"), name="secondCounter"]
Session ID Merge Code
This Merge Code will display the session id of the current survey response, which is a unique response number, but is quite long.
If you're looking for a unique identifier to pass to incentive rewards programs for your survey participant, this unique ID would be an excellent choice as it will ALWAYS be unique to that particular respondent.
Best Practice Tip: Using the Survey Counter Merge Code in Email Actions
If you want to reference the unique value that was generated using one of the survey counter merge code options within an Email Action, follow these Best Practice Tips:
Add a Hidden Value Action to one of your survey pages and use the desired counter merge code in the "Populate with the following" field.
In your Send Email Action, reference the merge code for the Hidden Value to pull in the unique number generated by the survey counter merge code.
This will ensure that the value that was generated by the survey counter on the survey page, matches exactly with the value that is emailed via the Send Email Action.
Compatibility
The survey counter merge code is not compatible with embedded surveys.
Admin
— Dave Domagalski on 04/25/2019
@Patricia: Thank you for your question!
There are certainly some options for connecting unique IDs to QR codes (and other links for that matter).
Typically, this would be done by creating multiple 'Tracking Links' and attaching URL variables to those:
https://help.surveygizmo.com/help/tracking-links
I encourage you to reach out to our Support team to discuss your scenario in detail, as this will allow for a more tailored recommendation:
https://help.surveygizmo.com/help/surveygizmo-support-hours
I hope this helps!
David
Technical Writer
SurveyGizmo Customer Experience
— Operations on 04/25/2019
Is it possible to send out a QR code that is connected to a unique ID? We are sending out a mail survey, but want to give participants the options to take it online. However, we also want to be able track who took the survey online. Is there some to track that?
Admin
— Dave Domagalski on 12/09/2016
@Matt: While the 'sguid' variable cannot be used in this manner, I suggest exploring the option described here:
https://help.surveygizmo.com/help/return-respondents-to-a-later-page#option-3-manually-construct-a-survey-edit-link-to-return-respondents-to-the-survey
This option utilizes the edit link feature which can also be used to return a respondent to a specific place in a survey.
I hope this gives you some options!
David
Documentation Specialist/Survey Explorer
SurveyGizmo Customer Experience
— Matt on 12/09/2016
Can I use sguid without passing it in through the URL the first time? For example, if I need to redirect to another page and have that page bring me back to the survey where I left off.
Admin
— Bri Hillmer on 07/24/2015
@Paul: Thanks for taking a look at our documentation! Great question! We have a unique id SGUID (SurveyGizmo Unique Identifier) that you can definitely leverage like you describe. Here are a couple of documents that should help answer some of your questions:
http://help.surveygizmo.com/help/article/link/sguid-the-url-variable
http://help.surveygizmo.com/help/article/link/pre-post-test-survey
Let us know if you have questions!
Bri
Documentation Coordinator/Survey Sorceress
SurveyGizmo Customer Support
— Paul on 07/23/2015
Hi folks, I'm considering switching from ...er..."brand x" to Survey Gizmo and am looking to see if there's a way I can track respondents over time. So here's what I'm wondering: could I generate a session ID merge code from an initial survey and then associate that code with a respondent in any subsequent survey as a unique person ID? If that's possible, I may be able to switch from the survey product whose name may not be mentioned! Looking forward to your response...
Admin
— Dave Domagalski on 06/23/2015
@Communications: Thank you for exploring SurveyGizmo Documentation! The survey counter and session ID merge codes can be used in email actions - we have updated this article with some best practice tips for doing so.
Thank you for your question!
David Domagalski
Survey Explorer
SurveyGizmo Customer Support
— OSPI on 06/23/2015
Do these work in email actions?