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How do I add new, custom user dimensions?
How do I add new, custom user dimensions?
Entromy Support avatar
Written by Entromy Support
Updated over a week ago

Entromy's platform is pre-loaded with the most commonly used user dimensions, but sometimes a new dimension is needed based to analyze important differences in survey takers.

  • Note: a 'user dimension' is similar to a characteristic or an attribute of a survey taker.

  • The platform automatically includes the following user dimensions:
    - First name*
    - Last name*
    - Email*
    - Alternative Email
    - Gender
    - Mobile
    - Department
    - Title
    - Manager
    - Employee Role
    - Employee Id
    - Location
    - Type
    - Company Start Date
    * Required

Although location is an option, as an example, perhaps both location and region are needed to include for reporting and analysis.
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1) To add a new dimension, such as region, first navigate to Configure --> Users:


2) Select wrench ("action") icon in the upper right above the user list, and from the drop down, select 'user dimensions':
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3) After the user dimension window opens, select the '+ Add dimension' icon in the upper right of the window:
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4) From here, enter the new dimension characteristics:
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For example:

  • Name (enter dimension) -- in this example, this is Region

  • Description(description) -- in most cases, reusing the name (e.g. 'Region') is sufficientNote: for user dimensions that will be self-registered (more explained below), the description will display on the self-registration page as additional information

  • Type -- 'type' defines the type of data that will be populated as part of that dimension. In most cases of adding custom dimensions, the most frequently used type is text. Other options include:
    - Text - for dimensions that use combinations of letters and/or numbers, such as 'Arizona' or 'Dept103'
    - Password - (not commonly used, reach out to Entromy support if more information is needed)
    - Email - (not commonly used, except for self-registration options when surveys are not provided via email but likely through a kiosk mode)
    - Phone - for inputting phone number data, must be all numbers with no characters (e.g. no - ( ) or # )
    - Number - for numerical values, such as employee Ids or other numerical-only information
    - Radio button - Allows for users to make choices between specified options as part of self-registration (note: dropdown is usually preferred to radio buttons)
    - Dropdown - used to create a dropdown menu allowing users to select options within a list
    - Date - can be used for other types of dates (leaves, most recent promotion date, rehire date, etc)

  • Self-Registration options - for most survey administrators, they are able to access a list of individuals and their dimension values / characteristics in advance, often through HR/payroll systems or other IT records.

  • However, in some cases, the survey administrator needs the Employee or survey participant to 'fill-in' this data as part of the survey process. This can be done through self-registration. When a survey is set to self-registration, at the start of the survey, the participant will be asked to answer any self-registration questions before starting. The information provided is then added to the user's information in the Entromy platform.

There are three options for self-registration:

  • Don't show in self registration (recommended)- if the information is available without requiring the participant to provide or populate, select 'don't show'
    - Note: Entromy strongly recommends avoiding self-registration when possible, as it can lead to inaccurate results and confusion among survey participants if definitions are not extremely clear (e.g. a person is asked to name his/her department, but they may work for Finance but support the Sales team...). It is best to reduce these risks when possible.

  • Enable in self-registration - The survey participant will be asked to provide this information at the start of the survey. They can decided not to answer, if they chose.

  • Enable in self-registration and be Required - The survey participant will be asked to provide this information at the start of the survey. In this case, they must provide an aswer before they can start the survey.

5) After filling out the new dimension information, be certain to hit the save (arrow icon) on the far right before closing the window.

6) Region is now a new dimension at the end of the user dimension list:


Additional questions? Contact support.

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