> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.listenlabs.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Use Earlier Answers in a Question

> Insert a participant's earlier answer into a later question by typing @ in the question text.

Answer piping puts a participant's earlier answer into a later question. Use it to ask about the exact option a participant chose.

## Insert an earlier answer

1. In the study guide, click the question text where the answer should appear.
2. Type **@**. A list of earlier questions opens.
3. Select a question with the mouse, or press the up and down arrow keys and **Enter**. Type a question number or label to filter the list.

The reference appears as a pill with the question number and the source, such as **Q3 answer** or **Q2 top ranked**.

## Sources you can use

Each question type offers its own references.

* **Multiple choice**: **answer**. The text shows the option the participant chose. Several chosen options join into one list.
* **Max diff**: **most often selected as most** or **most often selected as least**. The text shows the option the participant picked most often in that role.
* **Ranking**: **top ranked** or **bottom ranked**. The text shows the first or last option in the participant's ranking.
* **Price Discovery (Gabor-Granger)**: **the price they would buy at**. The text shows that price. If no price is found, the text shows the full price range.

## Example

Question 3 asks, "Which feature matters most?" The options are Speed, Price, and Support. Question 3 is required and has no conditional logic.

The participant chooses Speed. Question 5 reads "Why does **Q3 answer** matter to you?" The participant sees "Why does Speed matter to you?"

## What participants see

* The text shows the option name in place of the reference.
* If the source question shows option pictures, and the chosen option has one, the picture appears next to the name.
* Pictures work for multiple choice, max diff, and ranking. Gabor-Granger shows text only.

## Rules for the earlier question

* The earlier question must come before the question that uses it. The list shows only earlier questions.
* The earlier question must be required and must not be skippable. Questions that a participant can skip do not appear in the list.
* The earlier question must not have conditional logic.
* If the earlier question is in a section with conditional logic, use it only in that section.
* An answer from a concept block works only in the same concept block.
* If no question qualifies, the list shows **No questions available to reference**.

## Who can add references

* Users with the **Full access** or **Collaborator** role can add references.
* Users with the **Viewer** role cannot edit question text.


This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.