Adding Table-Based Questions to an RFx

Table-based questions allow you to simplify complicated requests for information by putting the requested information in a table format. This format also makes it easier for suppliers to answer questions.

Example Example

You might ask a car rental agency to provide rates for various classes of cars in a number of countries. In this case, you might enter the car classes as column headers and the countries as row labels to create a table similar to the following:

	Compact	Intermediate	Full Size
US
UK
Germany

End of the example.

You can create table-based questions when creating an RFx, or import them from a library. You can only import table-based questions if they have been created in the RFx Table Design Library.

Procedure

Adding Table-Based Questions to an RFx

Do one of the following:
- To add a table-based question to an existing section, choose Edit for the section on the Questions page.
- To add a table-based question to a new section, choose Add on the Questions page and enter question section information on the Question Summary page.
On the Question Summary page, select Table Based as the question type.
Optionally, choose Add Group to add a group to the current section instead of using the default group.
Choose Add.
In the Table Based Question Creation wizard, choose Create New Table Question.
Enter the number of rows and columns to use in the table, select a Default Data Type for the responses, and choose Create.
In the Question dialog box, enter the required data.
For more information, see Field Help for Question Dialog Box in RFx.
Under Question Setup, do the following:
- Enter column names for the table in the Column Headers fields. These are the attributes about which you are requesting information from the supplier (such as car classes in the car rental example).
- In the Attribute Type column, select a data type for the response value for each attribute.
- In the Response Required column, indicate whether a response is required for each attribute. If you check this box, the supplier must enter values for this entire column before moving the RFx to Firm status.
  
  This field can be changed on the Question Summary page if the status of this question changes.
  
  Note
  If you designate the question as Response Required, but you do not designate any attributes as Response Required, a supplier must enter a response for at least one cell in each table row.
  
  End of the note.
- Optionally, choose Edit next to a column header name to add further information about the attribute in the Table Attribute dialog box.
  For example, if the attribute type is Number Attribute, you can specify a minimum and maximum value for the attribute, and indicate that a total should be calculated for the column.
- Enter row names for the table in the Row Labels fields (such as countries in the car rental example above).
- Under Question Preview, choose Refresh Table to preview the table you created.
- Optionally, to switch the orientation of the table rows and columns, choose Change Table Orientation. When you change the orientation, the table row labels become the column headers. You can then choose Edit next to a row label name to add or change attribute information in the Table Attribute dialog box.
Choose OK.
Save your entries.

Importing RFx Table-Based Questions from a Library

On the Question Summary page, select Table Based as the question type.
Optionally, choose Add Group to add a group to the current section instead of using the default group.
Choose Add.
In the Table Based Question Creation wizard, select Create from Table Design Library, select a table design, and choose Next.
In the Question dialog box, enter required data.
Under Question Setup, select the rows and columns to include in the table-based question.

Note
You can select the attributes to include in imported table-based questions, but you cannot change these attributes.

End of the note.
Under Question Preview, choose Refresh Table to preview the table you have created.
Choose OK.
Save your entries.