Overview

Number Question and Slider Question both capture a numeric answer. With a Number Question the User types the value; with a Slider Question they drag a slider between a minimum and maximum. You can switch a question between the two with its Type field.

This article compares the two so you can choose. For full setup of each, see Number Question Type and Slider Question Type.

At a glance
Who can do this	Super Users, a Role with Checklists › Modify (or Create, for Checklists you created), or an Administrator or Editor of the Checklist's permission folder
Where	Checklists › open a Checklist › Add an element › Number Question or Slider Question
Works on	Backend (web) to set up. Users answer in the mobile app.
Availability	All organizations

💡 Why this matters: Numeric answers can be bounded, scored and trended, which free text can't. Picking the right input also decides whether the answer can trigger follow-up work: only a Number Question supports triggers.

Add a number or slider question

In the Checklist editor, click Add an element and choose Number Question or Slider Question.

Number Question and Slider Question in the Add an element list

To switch later, change the question's Type between Slider Question and Number Question.

Type field for switching between Slider Question and Number Question

Compare number and slider

Setting	Number Question	Slider Question
How Users answer	Type a value	Drag a slider
Minimum / Maximum	Optional, up to 2,147,483,647	Required, up to 999
Decimal scale	Yes, 0 to 10 decimal places	No
Unit category and Unit	Yes	Yes
Score Intervals	Yes	Yes
Triggers	Yes	No

Both types also support logic, Question Categories and reference material such as manuals, videos and links.

Minimum and Maximum fields on a numeric question

On a Number Question, Decimal scale sets the minimum and maximum number of decimal places an answer must have.

Decimal scale with minimum and maximum decimal places

⚠️ Heads-up: Slider Questions don't support triggers and have no Triggers panel. If you switch a Number Question to a Slider Question, its triggers are removed when you save and its Decimal scale is cleared. Use a Number Question when an out-of-range value should raise an Assignment or require a photo. See Adding triggers to a checklist.

Units

Under Unit category, choose a category, then a Unit, so the answer is recorded in that unit. Categories include Length, Mass, Volume, Time, Temperature, Pressure, Speed, Force, Torque, Electric Current and more. The list is fixed by Mobaro; you can't add your own categories or units.

Unit category and Unit fields on a numeric question

For temperatures, a Temperature Question is usually a better fit: it has its own temperature triggers.

Score intervals

Score Intervals give points to ranges of values. Each interval has a lower and upper value (both included) and the points it scores. Mobaro uses the first interval that matches the answer. An answer that matches no interval gets no points and doesn't count towards the Checklist's score.

See Understanding checklist scoring for how points add up.

Best practices

Use a Number Question for readings and counts, such as pressure, fluid level or a cycle count, especially if a value outside the limit should trigger follow-up.
Use a Slider Question for a quick rating on a short scale, such as 1 to 5 or 1 to 10.
Set Minimum and Maximum to the physically possible range, and use Score Intervals for the acceptable range inside it.
Avoid overlapping Score Intervals: only the first match counts.

Frequently asked questions

How do I create my own unit category, or add a unit like pH?

You can't. Unit categories and units come from a fixed Mobaro list. If the unit you need isn't there, contact Mobaro Support, or leave Unit category empty and put the unit in the question title.

Which question type should I use for a meter reading or a count?

A Number Question. It takes exact values, supports decimals and units, and can trigger an Assignment. Use a Slider Question for a quick rating, and a Select or Smiley Question when you want fixed answers.

How do I raise an assignment when a reading is below a certain number?

Use a Number Question and add an Assignment Trigger with the condition less than your limit. Slider Questions can't trigger. See Adding triggers to a checklist.

Can I switch a question between Number and Slider after setting it up?

Yes, with the question's Type field. Switching to Slider clears the Decimal scale, removes any triggers when you save, and requires a Minimum and Maximum of 999 or less.

What happens if an answer doesn't match any score interval?

The answer is saved but gets no points, and the question is left out of the Checklist's score rather than counted as zero.

Number and Slider Question Type