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✍️ "Other" Option (Please Specify)

What is the "Other" option?​

The "Other" option adds one extra choice to the end of a Single choice or Multiple choice question. When a respondent picks it, a text box appears so they can type their own answer.

You no longer need the old workaround: an "Other" option, a separate text field, and a conditional rule to show that field. One setting does all three.

Example:

How did you hear about us? ◯ Google search ◯ A friend ◯ Social media ◉ Other → "Podcast interview"

The typed text, Podcast interview, is saved as the respondent's answer.

How to add an "Other" option​

  1. Open your form in the form builder.
  2. Click the Single choice or Multiple choice question to open its settings on the right.
  3. Under Shuffle Options, turn on Add "Other" option.
  4. (Optional) Change the "Other" label, for example to Something else or Not listed.
  5. (Optional) Change the Placeholder, the hint shown inside the text box, for example Please specify.
  6. Save your form.

Pick the "Other" option in the builder preview to see the text box appear.

note

The "Other" option isn't available on quiz questions. A typed answer can't be marked right or wrong, so the setting is disabled while the question is part of a quiz.

How it works for respondents​

  • The "Other" choice always appears last, even when Shuffle Options is on. It also follows your letter or number Option Prefixing.
  • When respondents pick Other, a text box appears right below the options, ready to type in.
  • An answer is required once "Other" is picked, so you never get an empty "Other". This applies even if the question itself is optional.
  • Answers can be up to 255 characters.
  • On a Multiple choice question, respondents can tick "Other" alongside your regular options.
  • Picking another option on a Single choice question hides the text box again.
  • On a one-question-per-page form, picking "Other" doesn't jump to the next page. Respondents get time to type.

Where the typed answer shows up​

FormNX saves the typed text itself as the answer. It appears exactly as typed everywhere you see responses:

  • Submissions table and submission details
  • CSV / Excel exports and Google Sheets
  • Email notifications and autoresponders
  • PDFs
  • Webhooks, Zapier and the API

On a Multiple choice question, the typed answer is listed together with the other ticked options. For example: Google search, Podcast interview.

Responses report​

In the Response Report, all typed answers are grouped into one "Other" bar in the chart.

Below the chart, open Typed answers to see every answer people wrote and how often each one came up. This is a quick way to spot an answer that deserves to become a regular option.

Filter submissions by "Other"​

In the submissions Filter by Field menu, questions with an "Other" option list Other as a filter value. Pick it to see only the people who typed their own answer.

Use "Other" in conditional logic​

In conditional fields, the Other choice appears in the condition's value list. A condition like "How did you hear about us?" is Other is met whenever the respondent picks "Other", whatever they typed.

You can use this to show a follow-up question only to people who picked "Other".

Importing from Google Forms​

When you import a Google Form, questions that use Google's "Other" option come in with FormNX's "Other" option turned on.

Frequently asked questions​

Can I rename the "Other" option?​

Yes. Change the "Other" label in the question's settings to any text, such as Something else or Not listed.

Is the text box required?​

Yes, once a respondent picks "Other" they must type an answer. If the question is optional, respondents can still skip it entirely by not picking any option.

Does it work with images or card designs?​

Yes. The "Other" choice works with the Simple, Card and Image designs. With image options it appears as a text card at the end of the list.

Do calculation values apply to "Other"?​

No. An "Other" answer has no calculation value, so it adds 0 to any calculation.

Does it work on dropdowns?​

Dropdowns have their own setting for this: Allow user to type, which lets respondents type a value that isn't in the list.