> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.talentmap.com/knowledge-base/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.talentmap.com/knowledge-base/survey-design-and-deployment/creating-surveys-quick-start/marking-a-response-as-complete-at-a-specific-question.md).
# Marking a Response as Complete at a Specific Question
The **Completion Trigger** setting lets you mark a participant's response as complete the moment they answer a specific question, even if they leave the survey before reaching the final page. Use this when you want to capture responses to your main questions even if participants drop out of optional sections.
***
### When to use the Completion Trigger
A common example: your engagement survey ends with an optional demographic (census) section. Some participants will leave the survey after answering the main engagement questions and never click **Submit**. Without a completion trigger, those responses are recorded as incomplete and excluded from your reports.
Set the completion trigger on the last question of the engagement section. As soon as a participant answers that question, their response is marked complete and counted in reporting, regardless of whether they continue through the demographic section or close the browser.
Use the completion trigger when:
* You have optional sections (such as demographics or write-in comments) at the end of your survey.
* You want to capture responses to your core questions even if participants do not complete the full survey.
* You want any survey to count a response as complete at a natural milestone, rather than only at the final **Submit** click.
***
### Set the Completion Trigger
1. Open your survey and click **General** in the left navigation.
2. Scroll to the **Completion Trigger** section.
3. Click the **Completion trigger question** dropdown.
4. Select the question that should mark the response complete.
5. The setting saves automatically.
The help text under the dropdown reads: *When a respondent answers this question, their response will be counted in reports even if they do not complete the full survey.*
{% hint style="info" %}
**Permissions.** TalentMap Admin and Survey Creator roles can set the Completion Trigger.
{% endhint %}
***
### What happens after the trigger fires
When a participant answers the trigger question:
* Their response is marked complete and counted in reports.
* The survey continues. Participants can keep answering optional questions on later pages.
* Any answers given after the trigger fires are still saved and included in the response.
If a participant closes the browser after the trigger fires but before answering the final questions, their response remains marked complete. Later questions are recorded as blank for that participant.
***
### Tips
* **Choose a meaningful trigger question.** Pick a question that represents the natural end of your core survey content. The last engagement statement or the last required question are common choices.
* **Combine with branching.** If you use branching, place the trigger question on a page that all participants see. Otherwise, participants who branch around the trigger question will not have their responses marked complete.
***
### FAQ
#### Can I use more than one completion trigger?
No. Each survey has a single trigger question.
#### Will the participant know their response is marked complete?
No. The trigger fires invisibly. Participants continue through the survey as normal.
#### What if a participant goes back and changes the trigger question's answer?
The response stays marked complete. Changing the answer does not undo the trigger.
#### Does the trigger work if the participant skips the question?
No. The trigger only fires when the participant submits an answer to that question.
#### What if I do not set a completion trigger?
Without a trigger, responses are only marked complete when the participant reaches the end of the survey and submits. This is the default behaviour.
#### Can I change the trigger question after the survey is launched?
Yes, but with caution. Changing the trigger mid-survey affects which past responses count as complete.
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