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About Variables in Instant Survey
About Variables in Instant Survey

Use dynamic variables when writing questions to help with panelist recall

Molly McDermott avatar
Written by Molly McDermott
Updated over 2 weeks ago

About Dynamic Variables

Dynamic variables can be leveraged in Instant Survey to help tailor each survey to the individual respondent. In the survey output, the variable itself is replaced with the specific item that applies to the panelist’s trip. Using variables helps with panelist recall, as it pipes in specific details from the qualifying transaction. Below are some examples:

Survey Questions using Dynamic Variables

What the Panelist sees in the Survey Output

Why did you choose [brand]?

Why did you choose Diet Coke?

What led you to shopping at [banner]?

What led you to shopping at target.com?

How would you compare [retailer] to other stores on the selection of [majorcat]?

How would you compare Walmart to other stores on the selection of bath tissue?

Using Dynamic Variables in Instant Survey

Dynamic variables are available for use in both pre-written questions in the question bank and custom questions you write yourself. To add a variable, simply select the X button in the question builder, or add a [ and begin typing the name of the variable.

List of Variables

Below is a list of the different variables used within Instant Survey. You can learn more about the different variables by exploring Numerator's Product Hierarchy and Store Hierarchy.

Pro Tip: To help with panelist recall, it is best practice to use the most specific level of the hierarchy as possible within survey questions.

Variable

Variable Type

Description

Example

[date]

n/a

Date of the transaction

Oct 16th 2024

[brand]

Product-related

The name of the individual product

Cheerios, Honey Nut Cheerios, Multi Grain Cheerios

[parentbrand]

Product-related

The group of individual brands owned by the same parent company

Cheerios

[subcategory]

Product-related

Higher up the product hierarchy, a specific division in the category

Cereal Mainstream

[category]

Product-related

Higher up the product hierarchy, made up of subcategories

Cold Cereal

[majorcat]

Product-related

Higher up the product hierarchy, made up of categories

Breakfast Cereal

[banner]

Store-related

The name of the individual store where the purchase was made

Walmart, Walmart Neighborhood Market, walmart.com

[retailer]

Store-related

The group of individual banners owned by the same parent retail company

Walmart

[channel]

Store-related

The specific retailer groupings based on main products sold an/or general distribution method

Mass, Online

[parentchannel]

Store-related

General groupings of similar channels

FMCG, eCommerce

[selected_store]

Survey Type- Specific

For use in the Leakage Survey; the store leaked from

[lapsed_brand]

Survey Type- Specific

For use in the Lapsing Brand Survey; brand they bought in the pre period

[competitive_brand]

Survey Type- Specific

For use in the Lapsing Brand Survey; brand they bought in the post period

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Last Updated 11/7/2024

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