Page numbering with randomisation
How to number DCE pages correctly even when pages are randomised.
A step-by-step interactive tutorial on page numbering with randomisation in SurveyEngine. Preview the live tutorial, then download and upload it to your account to examine the construction.
Ben White, 08.07.2026
What this tutorial covers
How to number DCE pages correctly even when pages are randomised.
Each page of the tutorial demonstrates a specific technique. Work through it as a respondent first, then open the editor to see how it was built.
What you will learn
After completing this tutorial you will be able to implement page numbering with randomisation in your own SurveyEngine surveys.
Download the tutorial ZIP and upload it to your account to use it as a starting point or template for your own work.
TLDR Quick links
Step-by-step walkthrough
Step 1: Understand the problem. When choice experiment pages are randomised, fixed page numbers become incorrect.
Step 2: Create a page counter variable. Add a derived value that increments each time a choice task page is displayed.
Step 3: Pipe the counter into the page. Display the dynamic counter in the choice task heading - 'Choice task X of N'.
Step 4: Set the total number of tasks. Pipe the total number of choice tasks into the heading so respondents see their progress.
Step 5: Test with randomisation enabled. Preview the survey multiple times to confirm the counter increments correctly regardless of page order.
Try the live tutorial
The live tutorial is a working SurveyEngine survey. Click through it as a respondent to see the finished result.
Then download the tutorial ZIP file and upload it to your SurveyEngine account to examine how it was built.
Preview the live tutorial or download the ZIP file to load it into your account.
References
Ready to try it? Open a free SurveyEngine account, download the tutorial ZIP and upload it to your account.
Or Contact us at support@surveyengine.com — we're glad to help.