Overview
Custom Variables let you embed hidden, respondent-specific data into your survey links before sending them out. Instead of asking "What's your plan?" or "Which region are you from?" inside the survey, you pass that information silently through the link itself — and it lands in your exported results automatically, as a separate column for each variable.
Before You Begin
Custom variables must be configured before the survey is published. Once a survey is published, variable keys and names are locked and cannot be added or edited.
Setting Up Survey Variables
Step 1: Open the survey Settings From within your survey, click the Settings tab in the top-right panel.
Step 2: Expand Survey Variables Scroll to the Survey Variables section and expand it. If no variables have been added yet, you will see a + Add Variable button.
Step 3: Define your variables Click + Add Variable. Each variable has two fields:
Variable Key — the parameter name used in the URL (e.g. customer_name, customer_id). This is what appears in the link and in your exported data columns. Use lowercase with underscores, no spaces.
Variable Name — a human-readable label for the variable (e.g. Customer Name, Customer ID). This is for your reference only.
Click + Add Variable again to add more variables to the same survey.
Step 4: Save and publish Once your variables are defined, save your survey. When you publish, the variable keys are embedded into the share link automatically.
⚠️ Variable keys and names cannot be added or edited after the survey is published. Define all variables before publishing.
Sending Personalized Links
After publishing, open the Publish dialog and go to the Share Link tab. Your survey link will include the variable keys as URL parameters with placeholder values, for example:
Before sending the link to each respondent, replace the placeholder values with their actual data:
Each respondent receives a unique link with their specific data embedded. The parameters are completely hidden from the respondent during the survey experience.
Viewing Results with Custom Variables
When you export survey results to Excel, each variable you defined appears as a dedicated column alongside the respondent's answers. Results arrive pre-labeled, so your team can filter, segment, and analyze immediately — no manual data joining required.
Important Notes
Variable keys must follow URL encoding conventions. Use lowercase letters and underscores — no spaces or special characters.
Variables are locked once the survey is published. Plan your variable structure before publishing.
Variable values are visible in exported results only — not in the Survey Panel response view.
There is no enforced limit on the number of variables per survey, but keep them concise for clean exports.