# Large text field (multi-line)

With the "large text box (multi-line)" question type you collect longer, qualitative feedback on open questions. Participants type their answer into a multi-line free-text field. This question type suits detailed statements, justifications, or free comments.

:::info
Note: For short, single-line answers, use the [Text field](/en/c/feedbacks/text-field) question type instead. If you want to group several labeled free-text fields under one question, use [Multiple text fields](/en/c/feedbacks/multiple-text-fields).

:::

## Add a large text field question

:::info
Note: Please read the [article on adding elements and questions](/en/c/feedbacks/add-element) to the questionnaire first.

:::

1. In the questionnaire editor, click "+ Element".
2. Choose "Question: large text box (multi-line)" in the dropdown.

 ![The "+ Element" dropdown with "Question: large text box (multi-line)" highlighted](/attachments/feedbacks/grosses-textfeld-mehrzeilig/element-dropdown.png)

The editing form for the new question appears directly in the questionnaire.

## Configure a large text field question

 ![The editing form of a large text field question in the questionnaire editor](/attachments/feedbacks/grosses-textfeld-mehrzeilig/bearbeitungsformular-uebersicht.png)

### Question title

You can set two different question titles:

* **Question title (feedback recipient):** The title the feedback recipient (for example the employee themselves) sees. Example: "How would you rate your knowledge of topic X?"
* **Question title (feedback giver):** The title the feedback giver (for example the supervisor) sees. Here you can use placeholders such as `[Salutation]` and `[Last Name]` so the title is automatically adapted to each feedback recipient. Example: "How would you rate the knowledge of \[Salutation\] \[Last Name\]?"

### Hint

In the "Hint" field you can enter explanatory text that is shown below the question title. This gives participants extra information or instructions for answering.

### Width

The "Width" selector determines how wide the text field is shown relative to the page width. Available options: 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100%.

### Rows

The "Rows" selector sets the height of the text field. You can choose a value between 1 and 20 rows. The default is 5 rows.

### WYSIWYG editor (text formatting)

Enable the "WYSIWYG editor (text formatting)" checkbox to give participants a rich-text editor instead of a plain text field. In WYSIWYG mode, participants can format their text with headings, bold, italics, lists, and links.

 ![The editing form with the Width, Rows, WYSIWYG editor, Required question, and Notes settings](/attachments/feedbacks/grosses-textfeld-mehrzeilig/einstellungen-detail.png)

### Required question

Enable the "Required question" checkbox if the question must be answered. In the text field next to it you can adjust the hint shown when a participant has not answered the question (default text: "This question requires an answer.").

### Enable notes

The "Enable notes" checkbox lets participants leave a note in addition to their answer.

### Visibility, layout & design settings

Under the expandable "Visibility, layout & design settings" section, you control the visibility and appearance of the question.

 ![The expanded "Visibility, layout & design settings" section with tab navigation](/attachments/feedbacks/grosses-textfeld-mehrzeilig/sichtbarkeits-einstellungen.png)

The visibility settings are organized into tabs:

* **Perspectives:** Decide which perspectives see the question. If you select no perspective, the question is visible to all perspectives.
* **User groups:** Restrict visibility to specific user groups.
* **User fields:** Restrict visibility to users with specific field values (only available if user fields of type "list" exist).
* **Editions:** Decide which editions the question is shown in.

Below the tabs you find the layout & design options:

* "Hide title during participation" hides the question title from participants and shows only the input field.
* "Display without vertical spacing" reduces the vertical space to the previous question.

Finally, click "Save" to save the question.

## How participants see it

While taking part in the feedback, participants see the question title, the optional hint, and a multi-line text field for entering their answer. If the question is configured as required, a red asterisk appears next to the question title.

If the WYSIWYG editor is enabled, a rich-text editor with formatting options is shown instead of the plain text field.

 ![How participants see the large text field question, with the title, hint, and multi-line input field](/attachments/feedbacks/grosses-textfeld-mehrzeilig/teilnehmer-darstellung.png)

## Evaluate the results

In the results view, the text answers are shown grouped by perspective. Each answer appears with the answer text, the participant's name, and their perspective.

 ![Results view of a large text field question with answers grouped by perspective](/attachments/feedbacks/grosses-textfeld-mehrzeilig/ergebnis-ansicht.png)