Hidden Field and Text Block Questions: What Respondents Actually See¶
Most question types exist to get an answer from a respondent. These two don't work that way at all - one captures data without the respondent ever seeing it, and the other displays content without capturing anything. Knowing the difference helps you use each correctly.
Hidden Field: Invisible by Design¶
A Hidden Field question captures a URL parameter - something like a UTM source tag or a panel ID passed in the link a respondent used to reach the survey - without ever showing anything on screen. A respondent taking a survey with a Hidden Field question has no indication it exists; there's no visible question, no prompt, nothing to answer. It's a background data-capture mechanism, not a respondent-facing element at all. See Passing Data into Your Survey with Hidden Fields for how to set one up.
Text Block: Visible, But Not a Question¶
A Text Block is the opposite kind of exception - fully visible, but purely informational. It doesn't capture any answer, so it never appears in your response data as something a respondent "answered." In the Chat Interface take experience, a Text Block auto-advances to the next question after a configurable display duration, though a respondent can tap to continue early if they don't need the full time. In Traditional Form, it simply displays as static formatted text with no input control at all - a respondent reads it and moves on. See When to Use a Text Block Instead of a Question for when this is the right choice.
Why These Two Exist Alongside Real Questions¶
Hidden Field solves a genuine data-tracking need - carrying context into your response data without asking the respondent something you already know from how they arrived at the survey. Text Block solves a genuine communication need - introducing a section, explaining what's coming next, or adding context - without artificially turning that communication into a question that has no real answer to capture.
What This Means for Survey Length¶
Since neither type asks anything a respondent has to think about or answer, they don't meaningfully add to how long a survey takes to complete - a Text Block briefly pauses the flow to convey information, and a Hidden Field doesn't appear in the flow at all.
FAQ¶
Can a respondent skip a Text Block?
In Chat Interface, they can tap to continue before the display duration finishes. In Traditional Form, there's no input to skip - it simply displays alongside the rest of the visible content.
Does a Hidden Field question show up if I preview the survey myself?
Since it's invisible to respondents by design, it won't display in preview either - check your builder for how to verify a Hidden Field is capturing correctly (typically by checking the resulting response data rather than the take-flow itself).
Are Hidden Field and Text Block eligible for AI Follow-up?
No - AI Follow-up only applies to open-ended questions. Neither Hidden Field nor Text Block captures a free-text answer, so neither is eligible.
Can Display Logic reference a Hidden Field's value?
Yes - Display Logic can key off Hidden Field values, not just prior question answers. See Display Logic: Showing or Hiding Questions Based on Answers.
Does a Text Block count toward my question count for pricing or credits?
Neither Text Block nor Hidden Field are credit-based question types - see What Actually Consumes Your Credits (and What Doesn't) for what actually consumes credits.
For the fuller question type picture, see How to Build a Good Survey: A Practical Guide to Question Types, Structure, and Design.