Matrix Dropdown Question Schema Properties

A multi-column matrix where each cell contains a dropdown or other input.

Element type: matrixdropdown Key properties: 22

Generation Hints

• Aliases: matrix with inputs, grid inputs, table question.
• Use when: each row needs one or more typed cells or dropdown cells.
• Recommended properties: type, name, title, rows, columns, cellType.

{ "type": "matrixdropdown", "name": "budget", "title": "Budget by item", "rows": ["Software", "Services"], "columns": [{ "name": "amount", "title": "Amount", "cellType": "text", "inputType": "number" }] }

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Key Properties

rows

• Type: itemvalue[]
• Default: []

An array of matrix rows.

columns

• Type: matrixdropdowncolumns
• Default: —

An array of matrix columns.

cellType

• Type: string
• Default: "dropdown"
• Allowed values: dropdown, checkbox, radiogroup, tagbox, text, comment, boolean, expression, rating, slider

Specifies the type of matrix cells. You can override this property for individual columns.

choices

• Type: itemvalue[]
• Default: []

Gets or sets choice items for Dropdown, Checkbox, and Radiogroup matrix cells. You can override this property for individual columns.

placeholder

• Type: string
• Default: —
• Localizable: Yes

A placeholder for Dropdown matrix cells.

rowsVisibleIf

• Type: condition
• Default: —

A Boolean expression that is evaluated against each matrix row. If the expression evaluates to false, the row becomes hidden.

columnsVisibleIf

• Type: condition
• Default: —

A Boolean expression that is evaluated against each matrix column. If the expression evaluates to false, the column becomes hidden.

rowOrder

• Type: string
• Default: "initial"
• Allowed values: initial, random

Specifies a sort order for matrix rows. Use "random" to randomize Multi-Select Matrix rows each time the survey is loaded.

columnColCount

• Type: string
• Default: 0
• Allowed values: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4

Specifies the number of columns in Radiogroup and Checkbox cells.

columnMinWidth

• Type: string
• Default: —

Minimum column width in CSS values.

rowTitleWidth

• Type: string
• Default: —

A width for the column that displays row titles (first column). Accepts CSS values.

showHeader

• Type: boolean
• Default: true

Specifies whether to display the table header that contains column captions.

alternateRows

• Type: boolean
• Default: false

Specifies whether to apply shading to alternate matrix rows.

cellErrorLocation

• Type: string
• Default: "default"
• Allowed values: default, top, bottom

Specifies the error message position relative to matrix cells.

detailPanelMode

• Type: string
• Default: "none"
• Allowed values: none, underRow, underRowSingle

Specifies the location of detail sections.

detailElements

• Type: element[]

Questions or panels displayed inside each row’s detail section. Set detailPanelMode to underRow or underRowSingle to show these elements.

detailErrorLocation

• Type: string
• Default: "default"
• Allowed values: default, top, bottom

Specifies the error message position for questions within detail sections.

keyDuplicationError

• Type: string
• Default: —
• Localizable: Yes

An error message displayed when users enter a duplicate value into a column that accepts only unique values (isUnique is set to true or keyName is specified).

singleInputTitleTemplate

• Type: string
• Default: —
• Localizable: Yes

A title template that applies when the survey is in input-per-page mode.

totalText

• Type: string
• Default: —
• Localizable: Yes

A title for the total row. Applies if at least one column displays total values.

transposeData

• Type: boolean
• Default: —

Specifies whether to display columns as rows and rows as columns.

verticalAlign

• Type: string
• Default: "middle"
• Allowed values: top, middle

Aligns matrix cell content in the vertical direction.

Shared Properties

This page lists only properties that are specific to this element type or especially important for generation.

• Use Shared Question Properties for common fields such as name, title, description, isRequired, requiredIf, visibleIf, enableIf, readOnly, defaultValue, validators, width, and layout options.
• Use Matrix Row and Matrix Column for rows and columns object shapes.

Detail Panel Example

Use detail panels when each matrix row needs extra fields that would make the main table too wide.

{
  "type": "matrixdropdown",
  "name": "riskAssessment",
  "title": "Risk assessment",
  "rows": ["Security", "Compliance", "Operations"],
  "columns": [
    { "name": "likelihood", "title": "Likelihood", "cellType": "rating", "rateMin": 1, "rateMax": 5 },
    { "name": "impact", "title": "Impact", "cellType": "rating", "rateMin": 1, "rateMax": 5 }
  ],
  "detailPanelMode": "underRowSingle",
  "detailElements": [
    { "type": "comment", "name": "notes", "title": "Notes for {rowTitle}" },
    { "type": "text", "name": "owner", "title": "Owner" }
  ]
}