Add Attribute From Library Into Tests

Add Attribute From Library Into Tests

Overview

Attributes stored in the Attributes library can be inserted directly into questions in the Build tab of your test, rather than being typed manually each time. When an attribute is added from the library, its Name (or Display name, if set) and Description for panelists are populated automatically, and the attribute stays linked to its library record.

If you are interested in activating this feature for your subscription, contact Compusense Support for details.


Alert
Attributes added from the library are a copy taken at the moment they are inserted. Editing an attribute in the library afterwards does not update tests that already contain it.

Notes
Access to this functionality is based on your permission level within your analyst group(s). If your Build permissions are limited, a banner at the top of the Build area will read "Due to your analyst permissions you have limited access to the build area of Compusense." If you believe you should have access, contact our Support for assistance.

Compatibility

Attributes can be added from the Attributes library to the following question types:
  1. Category scale
  2. Line scale
  3. Numeric question
  4. LMS question


Limitations

  • Attribute wheel: when Wheel is toggled on for a Category or Line Scale question, the + Add from attribute library button is not shown. To use both together, toggle the wheel off, add the attributes from the library, then toggle the wheel back on; the newly added attributes will be placed at the first level of the wheel.

  • Incompatible scale question types: Temporal question attributes and Flash profile attributes cannot be populated from the Attributes library.

  • Templates library: when tests, sections, questions, or attributes containing library-linked attributes are saved to the Templates library, the library links are not saved with the template. If the links are needed, re-create them after the template is used.



Add Attributes from the Library

  1. In the Build tab of your test, navigate to a compatible question. Each attribute of a compatible question displays a + Add from attribute library button on the right.
    1. Collapsed page might look similar to this:

    2. Expanded page might look similar to this:


      Attributes that are linked to an Attributes library record display a grey link icon beside the + Add from attribute library button. Custom ("Other") attributes and manually created attributes show no icon.
       
  2. Click + Add from attribute library. The Add from attribute library modal opens, showing two grids:
    • Attribute list. The left grid lists all library attributes your analyst group(s) have access to.

    • Added attributes. The right grid lists attributes currently selected to be included in the question. Attributes added manually in the Build tab will also be listed in this grid.


  3. Use the filter bar to narrow down the list. The filter searches all text in the left grid, including Name, Details, Description for panelists, and ID.

  4. Use the Column picker to control which columns are displayed. Navigating away from this modal will reset the view to the default list.
    All columns with headings are sortable.

  5. Click + next to an attribute to move it to the right grid. 
    An attribute from the library can only be added once per question. Once it is in the right grid, its + button is greyed out. The same attribute can, however, be added to multiple questions within the same test.

  6. In the right grid you can reorder attributes (move up/down), remove individual attributes, or click Clear to remove all of them. The order in the right grid is the order the attributes will appear in the question.

  7. If the attribute you need is not in the library, you can add a custom attribute directly from the same modal:
    1. In the Added attributes panel (right grid), click + Add 'Other'. A new row with an empty text field is added at the bottom of the list.

      2. Alert
      Custom attributes are created without a library link and without a description for panelists.
    2. Click off to save the new attribute name. Make any other changes to the grid on the right as necessary.

      If you rename an attribute that is linked to the library, the link is removed when the new name is saved and the link icon disappears. The original library attribute then becomes available to be added to the question from the library again, if desired.

  8. Click Save. A confirmation message appears: "Attributes have been modified."

    If you added a custom attribute, the name field cannot be left empty. An inline error will appear indicating that the attribute name is required.

Notes Saving with an empty right grid is not possible; a question must contain at least one attribute. To leave without changes, click Cancel instead.


What Happens When You Save

  • One attribute is created in the question for each library attribute selected. The attribute Name matches the name set in the library, and the Description for panelists is populated into the attribute's rich text.

  • All other attribute settings (scale type, labels, options) are copied from the attribute where the + Add from attribute library button was clicked.

  • Attributes are displayed in the order they were in the right grid when you saved it.

  • Attributes removed from the right grid before saving are removed from the question, including those that were not included from the Attributes library.

NotesAn attribute from the library can only be added once per question. Once it is in the right grid, its + button is greyed out. The same attribute can, however, be added to multiple questions within the same test.