Working with Questions

With NetSuite CPQ Configurator, you can create questions to gather user preferences about the features and options of the configurable item.

Each questions has an internal name and a label for the user interface. You can use a shortened version of the name as a code to identify questions in actions and rules. The sequence number determines the order in which the question is displayed on the product user interface. Questions with a lower sequence number are displayed higher on the user interface.

The question space on the user interface is divided into 12 columns. Depending on the question type, you may need to specify how much space the question can occupy on the user interface. You can choose whether to arrange questions vertically or horizontally on the product record. For more information about the question layout, see Organizing the Question Space.

To create a question:

1. In NetSuite, go to CPQ > Configurator > Product Maintenance.

2. Click Edit next to the product you want to modify.

3. On the Questions subtab, click New CPQC Question.

4. Enter a descriptive name for the question.

   This name is for internal reference and is automatically copied to the Label field. To change the name users see on the interface, edit the text in the Label field.

5. In the Code field, enter a unique identifier for this question.

   You can use a shortened version of the name as the code to identify the question in rules and actions. The code can only contain uppercase letters, numbers, and underscore characters.

6. (Optional) In the Description field, enter a short explanation of the question.

   The description isn't displayed on the user interface.

7. Provide a sequence number to set the order in which the question is displayed on the user interface.

   You can enter a negative or positive number—for example, -2 or 5.

8. In the Type field, select the type of question you want to create, such as checkbox, radio button, or dropdown lists.

9. Depending on the question type, you may need to choose how many answers users can select on the product interface. In the Answer Selection Type field, define whether you want users to select one or multiple answers.

   Note:

   The Default option is no longer used.

10. Depending on the question type, you may need to select the order in which users see the answers on interface. In the Sort Answers By field, select whether you want to sort the answers by name or by sequence number.

11. In the UI Columns field, enter a number between 1 and 12 to define how much space the question can occupy on the user interface. The number 6 corresponds to half the question space.

12. In the Label field, enter the text users see on interface for this question.

    You can format the text by changing the paragraph font and size or making the text bold, italic, or underlined. You can also include HTML code to add images or links. However, script tags aren't supported

13. (Optional) Select a tab or a tab and group combination where the question is displayed.

14. On the Rules subtab, set up the rules to hide or make the question read-only when users select certain features or options. For more information, see Working with Question and Answer Rules.

15. On the Appearance subtab, define the question look and feel. For more information, see Changing the Question Look and Feel.

16. Click Save.

After saving a question, you can open it from the Questions subtab and edit it or add information. To copy or delete questions, see Working with Product Building Blocks. When you copy a question, answers are not copied with the question. When you delete a question, the answers related to that question are deleted as well.

Changing the Question Look and Feel

With NetSuite CPQ Configurator, you can change the question look and feel on the Appearance subtab of the question record. For example, if you only want to use an image to represent the question, you can hide the question label and header on the user interface.

You can add images to most question types to help users better understand features or options. You can select an image from the File Cabinet or enter the URL of the image. The image is displayed between the question header and the answers.

At the question level, you can also define whether to display the answers in one column (vertically) or multiple columns (horizontally). For example, choose a vertical layout for long answers, and a horizontal one for shorter answers.

To change the question look and feel:

1. On the Questions subtab, open a question for editing.

2. Click the Appearance subtab.

3. To hide the question label, check the Hide label box.

4. To hide the question background color, check the Hide label background color box.

5. To add an image to the question, two options are available:

   • In the Image field, select an image from the File Cabinet. For more information, see Uploading Files to the File Cabinet.

   • In the Image URL field, enter the URL of the image.

   If you select an image and also provide a URL, only the image from the URL is displayed on the user interface.

6. In the Answer Layout field, select an option to define how you want to display the answers:

   • Vertical (single column) – Displays the answers vertically.

   • Horizontal (up to 12 columns) – Displays the answers horizontally.

     If you want to display the answers horizontally, enter the number of columns to arrange the answers in the Answers per Row field.

     Note:

     Take into account the following:

     • Depending on how many columns you assign to the question in the UI Columns field, the number of answers per row may be automatically adjusted to fit the available space.

     • If you leave the Answers per Row field blank, three answers per row will be used.

7. Click Save.

Related Topics

• Gathering Information with Questions and Answers
• Working with Answers
• Working with Question and Answer Rules
• Working with Specific Question and Answer Types
• Working with Popup Table and Popup List Answers

General Notices