# Answer Properties

The answer properties let you define how your answer behave and how it should validate respondents entries.

{% hint style="info" %}
This properties page lists all the possible answer properties for all the [answer types](https://docs.ngsurvey.com/form-management/form-designer/answers/answer-types). Depending on the answer type some of them may or may not be available while you edit them.
{% endhint %}

## 🔅 Answer properties

* **`Required`** makes the text/value based answers mandatory.
* **`Read only`** respondent will not be able to  set/change this answer.
* **`Prevent duplicates`** will only allow one respondent answers of a given value for this answer.
* **`Sentiment`** will compute the [sentiment](https://docs.ngsurvey.com/form-management/reports/text-reports/sentiment-analysis) on the text entered by the respondent..
* **`Exclude from linked questions`** answer that will not be carry forward  if the question is linked for [carry forward answers](https://docs.ngsurvey.com/form-management/form-designer/piping/carry-forward-answers).
* **`Selected`** Selects the answer if its a [selection based answer](https://docs.ngsurvey.com/form-management/form-designer/answers/answer-types/selection-answers) eg: radio, checkbox.
* **`Entry validation`** [validates](https://docs.ngsurvey.com/form-management/form-designer/answers/answer-properties/entry-validation) a text entry using a regular expression.
* **`Field type`** define the [type](https://www.w3schools.com/tags/att_input_type.asp) of entry that this field expects.
* **`Input mode`** hints on the type of value that needs to be entered in the [field](https://docs.ngsurvey.com/form-management/form-designer/answers/answer-properties/field-properties) based on which the touch device will display a given virtual keyboard.   
* **`Max. length`** maximum characters a respondent can enter in the [field ](https://docs.ngsurvey.com/form-management/form-designer/answers/answer-properties/field-properties).Note that some browsers ignore the max length if the input mode is set to number.
* **`Min. length`** sets the minimum length of data that can be entered in the field.
* **`Max. words`** defines how many words the field accepts from the respondent.  
* **`Width`** width of the [field](https://docs.ngsurvey.com/form-management/form-designer/answers/answer-properties/field-properties). 
* **`Height`** height of the [field](https://docs.ngsurvey.com/form-management/form-designer/answers/answer-properties/field-properties)
* **`Default text value`** default text value that will be set on the answer on the first respondent's visit. 
* **`Watermark text`** defines some placeholder text that will be displayed in empty [fields](https://docs.ngsurvey.com/form-management/form-designer/answers/answer-properties/field-properties).
* **`Helper text`** adds a small helper text under the [field](https://docs.ngsurvey.com/form-management/form-designer/answers/answer-properties/field-properties).
* **`Tooltip`**adds a helper ? icon next to the answer. 
* **`Pipe alias`** alias that can be used for [piping](https://docs.ngsurvey.com/form-management/form-designer/piping/text-data-piping).
* **`CSS class`** .define a custom [CSS class](https://docs.ngsurvey.com/form-management/style-branding/style-editor/css) that will be applied to that answer.
* **`Type`** [answer type](https://docs.ngsurvey.com/form-management/form-designer/answers/answer-types) used for the answer. Type can be changed at any time to to any of the available [answer types](https://docs.ngsurvey.com/form-management/form-designer/answers/answer-types).
* **`Data classification`**Set the [data classification](https://docs.ngsurvey.com/data-encryption/data-classification) to define the [encryption](https://docs.ngsurvey.com/data-encryption) level for text based answers.