Survey URLs

You can distribute a survey by giving survey users a survey URL.

Survey administrators can obtain one of the following types of URLs.

A general URL for a survey, which users can open to take the survey questionnaire. The following process occurs.
- When someone opens the URL, the system ensures that the person is logged in. It then searches for an instance of the associated survey that is assigned to the logged-in user.
- If a survey instance is found, the appropriate action occurs based on the State of the survey instance (see table). If there are multiple active survey instances (Ready to take or In progress), the instance with the earliest due date opens.
- If no survey instance is found, the system creates a new instance for the survey, assigns it to the user, and opens the survey questionnaire.
A URL for a specific survey instance, which the assigned user can open to take the survey questionnaire. The following process occurs.
- When someone opens the URL, the system ensures the person is logged in as the user the survey instance is assigned to. Only the assigned user can access the survey questionnaire.
- The appropriate action occurs, depending on the State of the survey instance (see table).

Table 1. Survey states
Survey instance state	Action upon opening URL
Ready to take: User has not saved any responses.	The survey questionnaire appears for the user to begin. The user can save or submit responses.
In progress: User has saved at least one response.	The survey questionnaire appears for the user to continue. Any previously saved responses are displayed. The user can save or submit responses.
Complete: User has submitted all required responses.	If the schedule period is No Limit or if the period restriction has expired, the survey questionnaire for a new survey instance appears for the user to begin. If the schedule period restricts the number of times a user can take the same survey, and the period restriction has not expired since the user last completed survey, an error message appears.

If someone opens a URL for an unpublished or deactivated survey, an error message appears.

Survey URLs

You can distribute a survey by giving survey users a survey URL.

Survey administrators can obtain one of the following types of URLs.

A general URL for a survey, which users can open to take the survey questionnaire. The following process occurs.
- When someone opens the URL, the system ensures that the person is logged in. It then searches for an instance of the associated survey that is assigned to the logged-in user.
- If a survey instance is found, the appropriate action occurs based on the State of the survey instance (see table). If there are multiple active survey instances (Ready to take or In progress), the instance with the earliest due date opens.
- If no survey instance is found, the system creates a new instance for the survey, assigns it to the user, and opens the survey questionnaire.
A URL for a specific survey instance, which the assigned user can open to take the survey questionnaire. The following process occurs.
- When someone opens the URL, the system ensures the person is logged in as the user the survey instance is assigned to. Only the assigned user can access the survey questionnaire.
- The appropriate action occurs, depending on the State of the survey instance (see table).

Table 1. Survey states
Survey instance state	Action upon opening URL
Ready to take: User has not saved any responses.	The survey questionnaire appears for the user to begin. The user can save or submit responses.
In progress: User has saved at least one response.	The survey questionnaire appears for the user to continue. Any previously saved responses are displayed. The user can save or submit responses.
Complete: User has submitted all required responses.	If the schedule period is No Limit or if the period restriction has expired, the survey questionnaire for a new survey instance appears for the user to begin. If the schedule period restricts the number of times a user can take the same survey, and the period restriction has not expired since the user last completed survey, an error message appears.

If someone opens a URL for an unpublished or deactivated survey, an error message appears.