The External ID question type allows you to capture a unique identifier for respondents, such as a customer ID, employee ID, booking ID, or membership number. This helps you link survey responses to your existing systems like CRM, HRM, POS, or support tools.
Use External ID when:
You want to map survey responses to a unique record in another system
You need to track feedback at an individual or transaction level
You’re integrating with CRMs, HR software, or ticketing systems
📌 External ID is available on all Zonka Feedback plans.
In this article
What is an External ID question?
Where to use it
How to add an External ID question
Customization options
Things to keep in mind
What is an External ID question?
A unique identifier field that captures numeric or alphanumeric values
Commonly used to link responses with external databases
Does not display personally identifiable information (PII) but ensures accurate tracking
Where to use External ID
Customer feedback surveys linked with order or booking IDs
Employee feedback surveys using staff IDs
Healthcare or finance surveys where identifiers are mandatory
Ticketing or service desk feedback using ticket/case numbers
How to Add an External ID Question
To add an External ID field to your survey:
Go to the Survey Hub and open the survey you want to edit.
Navigate to the Build section.
From the Question Types Panel, locate and select External ID under the Contact Information category.
Drag and drop the External ID field from the question list into your survey.
Click on the field to edit the label text, for example: “Enter your Customer ID”.
Customization options
Question Label: Modify as per your requirement (e.g., “Booking ID”, “Employee ID”)
Placeholder Text: Provide input hints (e.g., “ABC12345”)
Make Required: Ensure no response is submitted without an ID
Validation: Restrict to numeric or alphanumeric formats for accuracy
Things to keep in mind
External IDs are stored as part of the response and contact record
Useful for integrations and reporting, ensuring each response is tied back to the right entity
Not meant for anonymous surveys
Frequently Asked Questions
Can External ID be alphanumeric?
Yes, it supports both numeric and alphanumeric inputs.
Does External ID sync to Contacts?
Yes, it is stored with respondent data and can be used for segmentation.
Can I use External ID for API-based surveys?
Yes, it’s commonly used to map external system IDs via APIs and integrations.