Create numeric polls

In this article we cover:

• How to create a basic numeric poll
• Using a minimum & maximum value
• Using decimal places
• Setting up a correct answer & explanation
• Including a margin of error
• Display your poll results in a column or number cloud
• Showing mean, median & mode averages

The numeric poll allows participants to enter any number within a range that you specify.

To create a basic numeric poll follow these steps:

 In the Polls section select the '+ Create new' button.

 Select Numeric as the poll type.

 Enter the 'Question title' or question of your poll. It is optional to add rich text formatting (bold, underline, italics paragraph break) to the question title.

 If you prefer, add an image to the poll question by clicking on the picture icon. Either upload a preferred image from your computer or use the built-in library of licensed images. (If you have a Free account, you will not have access to this feature.)

 Select the Maximum and Minimum values you would like your participants to vote between by typing in the relevant numbers.

Decide if participants can use decimal numbers in their responses and if you want to set a correct answer.

Choose between a column chart or a number cloud display.

 Press 'Create'.

When you choose to set up a numeric poll your poll card will look like this:

1. Minimum & Maximum value

With numeric polls, you can allow participants to enter any number within the range that you specify. In this example, participants can only enter a numeric value between 25 - 55. The minimum & maximum value will automatically be specified on the participants' mobile devices just below the question. You do not need to add the minimum & maximum values in the question title. The maximum range for number polls is 1 to 10,000. You can also use a negative range, with numbers going as low as -10,000.

2. Using decimal places

When you select the decimal places box, you can allow participants to answer their numeric poll with up to two decimal places. In this example above, we did not use decimal places and kept it at zero. 

3. Correct answer & explanation

Simply toggle the correct answer button to enable this and then enter the value of the correct answer. In the above example, we specified the answer as 42. A correction mark will indicate the correct answer in Present view as well as on participants apps.  It is optional to add a correct answer explanation in the box provided. This will also appear on the participant app after the poll has been closed and the right answer revealed. 

4. Including a margin of error

As an extra option, you can enter in a margin of error for the correct answer. The margin of error means that participants that answer above or below the correct answer within this margin of error will also get the answer correct and a point allocated. If we selected the margin of error of 2, and the answer is 42, then all answers from 40-44 would be accepted. 

5. Displaying results in a column chart or a number cloud

Column Chart Display

The default display type  is a column chart. Once the poll is closed, use the interactive chart to highlight the actual number of votes received for a number. 

Number Cloud display

In the number cloud, participant responses are displayed in varying sizes based on their frequency or importance—the more frequently a number is submitted, the larger and bolder it will be.

Number clouds are particularly useful for polls with a wide range of possible answers, as they allow you to see all the responses at a glance. Remember to enable real-time results in the custom settings so participants can watch the number cloud grow and update as votes come in.

While the default display is a column chart, you can easily switch between a column chart and a number cloud, even if your poll was initially set up as a column chart. Simply use the display type icon in Present view to toggle between formats.

If you’re using a number cloud and have set up a correct answer, you can highlight the correct responses when revealing the answer. Numbers within the correct range (including any margin of error) will be highlighted according to the theme's highlight color, while incorrect responses will be greyed out.

If no correct number was submitted, all the responses will be greyed out. 

6. Show mean, median & mode averages

Lastly, as a default, the mean average will always appear on the poll results. Use the toggles to either add or remove them to your poll results.

Mean average = adding up all the numbers in a set and then dividing by how many values there are.

Median average = is the middle number in a set of values when those values are arranged from smallest to largest.

Mode average = is the most frequently repeated value in the dataset.

Custom settings allows you to set up poll specific settings. Read more about it. 

Present view will display the averages at the top of the results.

Participants will see their own answer, the mean, median & mode averages, the correct answer and explanation on their participant app. 

Watch this video to get more ideas for numeric polls.