How do I record Multiple Responses (check boxes) using Excel?

In my last few postings, we have looked at how to create Continuous Scale and Likert Scale using Excel. Today we will do Multiple Options Response.

This is not quite the same as a Multiple Choice Question. In MCQ, you are only allowed one option out of several. Here, you can tick a number of different options simultaneously. An example would be the following:

(Clearly, I've never been to Antarctica.)

Creating the tick-boxes follows the same way as you do for other controls that we have already discussed:

1. Developer -->; (Controls group) -->; Insert --> Check box (under "Form Controls").
2. Click on the sheet where you want the boxes to go.
3. Feel free to remove the words "Check box 1".
4. Go to the cell on the right of the check box, and type "Africa". That is your first option.
5. Select the check box (by CTRL-left click); Copy (CTRL-C); Paste (CTRL-V)
6. Move the pasted new check box to wherever you want it. Use the sheet's gridline as a guide.
7. Repeat steps 3 to 6 to complete your question.
   

Now, unlike Option Buttons (for Likert Scales/MCQs), you don't need a Group Box to group them together. Each Check Box will have its own Target Reference (remember? it's the cell which records the response.) Determine your Target Reference as follows:

1. Create a new sheet called "Data".
2. Select the first Check Box (which you'd have labelled "Africa").
3. Go to the Formula Bar, type = (equal sign)
4. Go to the "Data" sheet (don't click on any other cells as you do that!).
5. Click on Cell B2. (This should turn the border of B2 into a flashing dotted line)
6. Hit Enter.
7. Go back to the sheet where your questionnaire is; repeat 1-6 (but use a distinct Target Reference for each Check Box! A logical way would be to put "Antarctica" into C2, "Asia" into D2, and so on.)

Now, check the boxes for Antarctica, Europe and North America. Go to "Data", and you should see this:



"TRUE" denotes that the box has been ticked; "FALSE" indicates otherwise.

Now, try deleting all the "TRUE" and "FALSE". Go back to your questionnaire. You will see that none of the boxes are ticked. This is essential as you prepare your study session, as you do not want to give your subjects perconceived ideas.

Stay a step ahead,
Alex.