LimeSurvey 7 beta 1: cleaning up response tables and fieldnames

This article explains what changed, why we did it, and what you should check if you run plugins, themes, or custom integrations. What is changing in LimeSurvey 7 Beta 1? Over time, LimeSurvey’s internal naming for response tables and fields developed gradually. It worked, but it also led to patterns that were hard to predict and harder to build on. With LimeSurvey 7, we introduce a consistent naming structure. At a high level, this means: Response tables now follow a clear and predictable naming scheme Timing tables follow the same logic Fieldnames use a consistent structure based on question and subquestion IDs For example: survey_<sid> becomes responses_<sid> survey_<sid>_timings becomes timings_<sid> Fieldnames now follow readable patterns such as Q<questionId> or Q<questionId>_S<subquestionId> Nothing changes about how surveys behave or how responses are collected. This is a structural cleanup, not a functional rewrite. Why touch this at all? Because these naming patterns sit at the foundation of everything else. Plugins, custom themes, JavaScript snippets, reporting queries, and integrations often rely on response tables and fieldnames. When those foundations are inconsistent, every layer above becomes harder to maintain. Structural changes like this are rarely simple. They touch parts of the system that have existed for a long time and that many extensions rely on. That is also why teams often postpone this kind of work. But consistency and predictability are essential for long-term stability. Without them, every new feature becomes more expensive and more fragile over time. This cleanup gives LimeSurvey a base we can confidently build on going forward, even if the change itself is mostly invisible on the surface. Who should pay attention to this beta? If you use LimeSurvey out of the box, this beta will likely work without any changes. You should take a closer look if you run: Custom plugins Custom survey or admin themes JavaScript that references response fields directly Reporting dashboards or scripts that read from the database Any custom integration you built yourself These setups may need small adjustments to align with the new naming. How to test it safely We strongly recommend testing this beta in a separate environment. A typical test setup looks like this: Download the latest LimeSurvey 7 beta from community.limesurvey.org Install it separately from your production system Import your surveys, themes, and plugins Check whether everything behaves as expected Update any code that relies on old table or field names For developers, LimeSurvey also provides a helper function called 'getFieldName()' that lets you preview how an existing field will be named after the upgrade. This makes it easier to update plugins and integrations ahead of time. Help us stabilize the final release Early testing is how we avoid surprises later. If you spot anything that looks off, please report it via our bug tracker at bugs.limesurvey.org. Even small reports help us catch edge cases before the final release. Final thoughts This beta is about making LimeSurvey more predictable and easier to maintain in the long run. It is a careful cleanup of internal structure, not a visible redesign. If you are running LimeSurvey with plugins, themes, or custom integrations, your feedback at this stage is especially valuable. Thanks for helping us make LimeSurvey 7 solid from the inside out.

Welcome to LimeSurvey 6! We're thrilled to announce LimeSurvey 6 - our latest version that's easy on the eyes and offers a fresh way in how you interact with online surveys. Intrigued? Let's dive in! The main highlights The main highlights of this new release include: A completely new design system across the platform The new default admin theme for LimeSurvey The new default theme“fruity twentythree” for the survey participant’s view The update of all question types according to the new design Lots of user interface enhancements LimeSurvey in 40+ languages The new design   With our focus on your user experience, we've used global components across the platform for a consistent user experience, enabling you to navigate and carry out your tasks easily. From creating your first question to analysing complex data, every action feels a bit simpler and smoother. It is a big step forward in bringing in more clarity and meeting the expectations of the year (‘Fruity‘)twenty-three. The new default admin theme   We've engineered a new default admin theme — minimizing distractions and bringing in more clarity and focus. From the most important pages, like the dashboard, user management, and survey list, to alerts, tooltips, badges, tables, breadcrumbs, hover and focus states, pagination and buttons, sticky top bars, and back buttons, we touched it all and juiced the whole thing up. What else? Many more limes are coming your way — some minor hints to help you discover the new version. Action buttons   All of them are now on the far right side of the tables. Click on the action button to check the next best actions. Survey Settings & Survey Menu We calmed down the survey menu and survey settings design and finetuned all pages from ‘Overview’ to ’Simple plugins’. Some pages still need some 🍋‍ and are work in progress. While on it, we also cleaned up the top bars a bit. Survey structure   We've updated the user interface for a smoother experience. The sidebar, question editor, and settings are all limed up. Activate Survey & Stop Survey Survey activation is now in a straightforward popup. Stopping your survey is easier, with more guidance and user-friendly dialogues. Right-to-left orientation For our right-to-left friends 🕌🐪🏜. All good. We’ve got you covered. You can lime on us in terms of cultural inclusivity and the correct display of text. Bug fixes Apart from the above, we did at least a zillion 🐞 fixes. The new default “fruity twentythree” theme for the survey participants' view Imagine having a survey tool that not only lets you ask the right questions but also presents them in a way that makes your respondents say, "Wow, that was easy!" Stop imagining because we have revamped our world-famous fruity theme, which brings exactly that to your screen with additional color variations. In this major update, we've improved our question types and given them a new look. From simple yes/no questions to more advanced arrays, every question type has been redesigned to offer a more engaging experience for your survey participants. Now, to show you what we are talking about, here is an overview of some question types we have polished up. Remember, this is also what your participants will see. Yes/ No question type   List (Dropdown) question type   List (Radio) question type   List with comment question type   Array question type   Create your first survey now!It's as easy as squeezing a lime. Sign up   Create surveys in 40+ languages   Unlimited number of users   Ready-to-go survey templates   So much more... Array (Numbers) question type   Array (Texts) question type   Multiple-choice question type   Bootstrap buttons question type   Star rating question type   Ranking question type   Ranking with images question type   Free text question type   Numerical input question type   Gender question type   Equation question type   Date/Time question type   LimeSurvey in 40+ languages Imagine reaching out to an international audience in their native language, improving engagement and the quality of your results. LimeSurvey 6 makes it a reality with support for 40+ languages. Here's how this expansion can transform your survey experience: Global Reach: With over 40 languages supported, your surveys can cater to a wider international audience. We are not monkeying (🐒) around. With 40+ languages, we are the most international survey tool, period. 🙉 Improved Response Rate: Surveys in native languages can encourage more people to participate, increasing your response rate. Better Quality Responses: Respondents will likely provide more accurate and in-depth responses in their native language. Cultural Inclusivity: Show your respondents that you value their culture by allowing them to participate in their language. Flexibility: You can easily switch between languages while creating your survey or answering one, ensuring a seamless experience. Parting words We hope you're as thrilled as we are about these new features and improvements. Now it's time to get started with version 6.And get ready to hunt for some serious responses. We hope you gather some fantastic insights. And remember: “Also embrace thee, sour survey insights, for wise man say its the wisest course.“ Happy surveying!- Jan ✌️💚🍋‍🟩LimeSurvey. The LifeSurvey. Think one step ahead. Step into a bright future with our simple online survey tool Pricing & Plans Get started