Poll

Learn how to get started with Actioner's poll app.

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» Actioner's Poll app for Slack is now available to everyone – and it’s completely free!

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Install poll from app directory and start using it by connecting your Slack.

Features

Visit this link to learn about poll use cases.

• 🗳️ Craft your polls in Slack: Design powerful polls directly within Slack and share them with your team in your chosen channel.
• 📈 Insightful voting analytics: Easily assess poll outcomes by clicking "View responses" button. Analyze user engagement, option distribution, and vote percentages for each option.
• 🎨 Generate your custom templates: Select a template or unleash your creativity by crafting a poll from scratch using diverse poll styles—your options are limitless.
• ⚙️ Adaptable settings: Modify settings on-the-fly. Choose a closing time, seamlessly switch between single and multiple-option polls, and manage voter anonymity settings according to your preferences.
• 📅 Schedule your polls: No need to worry about poll timings. Schedule them in advance for perfectly timed polls.
• 🔁 Recurring Slack polls: Set up regular polls to recur automatically at specified frequencies and times, just like regular polls.

How to get started

Step 1. Add Poll by Actioner to your Slack

Visit Poll in app directory and click Install or Add to Slack button at top right corner.

Step 2. Allow Poll by Actioner app in your Slack workspace

Click Allow to allow Poll to be added to your Slack workspace. You can switch to another Slack workspace from top right corner on this screen.

Step 3. Complete setup

With completing the setup, you'll get an introductory message from Poll by Actioner bot in your Slack.

Step 4. Invite your team

By default Everyone in your Actioner workspace is added to your app as Runner.

To grant app admin permission to a user, go to the Permissions tab of your app and add users or groups via + Add permission button. If you can't find the users you want to add, ensure they have been invited to your Actioner workspace.

How to create a poll

There are two ways you can create a poll.

1. From command

In Slack, type /poll-by-actioner command, press enter and then select Create a poll workflow.

Tip

When you first install the app, you'll be getting an introductory DM from Poll by Actioner. You can use Create a poll button to start a poll. If you proceed with Check poll templates, you can start a poll using an existing template.

2. Mentioning "@Poll by Actioner" in your message

In one of your Slack channels, mention @Poll by Actioner and then type your question & answers in a comma seperated list. An example message looks like below:

@Poll by Actioner What is your favorite drink? Coffee, Tea, Juice

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Tip

Dont forget to invite Poll by Actioner to the channel you send your message to.

Poll types

There are 4 types of polls you can create:

1. Emoji polls: Users vote with emoji reactions.
2. Select-list polls: Users vote by selecting an option or multiple options from a dropdown.
3. Numbered polls: Users vote by clicking numbered buttons representing options.
4. Free-form polls: Users reply to an open-ended question.

Emoji polls

In this type of poll, users respond to your question by adding emoji reactions.

Emoji polls provide a practical way to gather feedback and understand preferences within your team. They are ideal for capturing quick responses in casual or informal situations. An example poll for lunch preferences:

What should we order for our next team lunch? 🍕 for pizza, 🍣 for sushi, 🥗 for salad

How to create an emoji poll

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In Slack, type /poll-by-actioner, then select Create a poll and proceed with 🥳 Create emoji poll button. On the opening form, provide the following:

• Channel: Select the channel to post your poll.
• Question: Enter your question.
• Options: Enter the list of answers separated by commas, such as "Good, Bad, Ugly".
• Emojis for options: Select a corresponding emoji for each answer in the order you provided the options. To use your own emoji; type it between colons, such as :space_invader:. Note that if you do not provide any emojis, or the number of emojis is less than the number of options; random emojis will be assigned.
• Multiple responses: Set Allowed if users can vote for multiple options.
• Voting period: Set how long the poll will remain open.
• Poll scheduling: Select if your poll will run instantly or at a scheduled time.
  • Instant poll: Starts the poll instantly.
  • Scheduled poll: Creates the poll at the date and time you select. After scheduling your poll, you do not need to wait for the starting time, you can run your poll at anytime.
  • Recurring poll: Creates the poll on the selected date and time and repeats it at the chosen frequency.

Select-list polls

In this type of poll, users respond to your poll by selecting an option or multiple options from a dropdown.

Select-list polls provide a practical solution when you have multiple options to present and need a dropdown list for a more organized and user-friendly selection process. These polls work well in situations where you want participants to carefully review all the choices. An example poll for calendar availability:

Please indicate your availability for the upcoming team meeting. Options: Monday morning, Tuesday afternoon, Wednesday all day, Thursday morning, Friday afternoon

How to create a select-list poll

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In Slack, type /poll-by-actioner, then select Create a poll and proceed with 📋 Create select-list poll button. On the opening form, provide the following:

• Channel: Select the channel to post your poll.
• Question: Enter your question.
• Options: Enter the list of answers separated by commas, such as "Good, Bad, Ugly".
• Multiple responses: Set Allowed if users can vote for multiple options.
• Privacy setting: Select between below options:
  • Responses are public
  • Responses are anonymous until the poll is closed
  • Responses are always anonymous
• Voting period: Set how long the poll will remain open.
• Poll scheduling: Select if your poll will run instantly or at a scheduled time.
  • Instant poll: Starts the poll instantly.
  • Scheduled poll: Creates the poll at the date and time you select. After scheduling your poll, you do not need to wait for the starting time, you can run your poll at anytime.
  • Recurring poll: Creates the poll on the selected date and time and repeats it at the chosen frequency.

Numbered voting polls

In this type of poll, users respond to your poll by clicking numbered buttons representing options.

Numbered polls offer a direct method for collecting responses when you have distinct options and seek clear and unambiguous answers. An example poll for mid-sprint check-in:

On a scale of 1-5, how confident are you that you will hit your deliverables for this sprint? 1️⃣ Not confident at all, 2️⃣ Slightly confident, 3️⃣ Somewhat confident, 4️⃣ Fairly confident, 5️⃣ Completely confident

How to create a numbered poll

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In Slack, type /poll-by-actioner, then select Create a poll and proceed with 5️⃣ Create number poll button. On the opening form, provide the following:

• Channel: Select the channel to post your poll.
• Question: Enter your question.
• Options: Enter the list of answers separated by commas, such as "Good, Bad, Ugly".
• Multiple responses: Set Allowed if users can vote for multiple options.
• Privacy setting: Select between below options:
  • Responses are public
  • Responses are anonymous until the poll is closed
  • Responses are always anonymous
• Voting period: Set how long the poll will remain open.
• Poll scheduling: Select if your poll will run instantly or at a scheduled time.
  • Instant poll: Starts the poll instantly.
  • Scheduled poll: Creates the poll at the date and time you select. After scheduling your poll, you do not need to wait for the starting time, you can run your poll at anytime.
  • Recurring poll: Creates the poll on the selected date and time and repeats it at the chosen frequency.

Free-form polls

In this type of poll, users provide open-ended responses to your question.

Free-form polls are particularly advantageous for collecting qualitative feedback or when you're unsure about specific options and want to enable your team to provide their own inputs. An example poll for gathering feedback:

What improvements do you suggest for our current workflow?

How to create a free-form poll

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In Slack, type /poll-by-actioner, then select Create a poll and proceed with 💬 Create free-form poll button. On the opening form, provide the following:

• Channel: Select the channel to post your poll.
• Question: Enter your question.
• Privacy setting: Select between below options:
  • Responses are public
  • Responses are anonymous until the poll is closed
  • Responses are always anonymous
• Voting period: Set how long the poll will remain open.
• Poll scheduling: Select if your poll will run instantly or at a scheduled time.
  • Instant poll: Starts the poll instantly.
  • Scheduled poll: Creates the poll at the date and time you select. After scheduling your poll, you do not need to wait for the starting time, you can run your poll at anytime.
  • Recurring poll: Creates the poll on the selected date and time and repeats it at the chosen frequency.

Using templates

Creating a poll from a template

1. In Slack, type /poll-by-actioner and then select Create a poll.
2. Proceed with 🗂️ Create poll from template button.
3. On the opening form, select the desired template type and find your template from the 🔍 Search field. You can also use the summary to browse through templates.
4. Click Preview button to preview the template and proceed with ⚡ Create the poll button.
5. On the opening form, provide the following:

• Channel: Select the channel to post your poll.
• Voting period: Set how long the poll will remain open.
• Poll scheduling: Select if your poll will run instantly or at a scheduled time.
  • Instant poll: Starts the poll instantly.
  • Scheduled poll: Creates the poll at the date and time you select. After scheduling your poll, you do not need to wait for the starting time, you can run your poll at anytime.
  • Recurring poll: Creates the poll on the selected date and time and repeats it at the chosen frequency.

Updating a poll template

1. In Slack, type /poll-by-actioner and then select Search poll templates.
2. On the opening form, select the desired template type and find your template from the 🔍 Search field. You can also use the summary to browse through templates.
3. Click Preview button to preview the template you want to update and proceed with ✏️ Update template button.Note that If a template is not modifiable or is a default template, ✏️ Update template button will be invisible.
4. Update your template on the opening screen.

Deleting a poll template

1. In Slack, type /poll-by-actioner and then select Search poll templates.
2. On the opening form, select the desired template type and find your template from the 🔍 Search field. You can also use the summary to browse through templates.
3. Click Preview button to preview the template you want to update and proceed with 🗑️ Delete template button.Note that If a template is not modifiable or is a default template, 🗑️ Delete template button will be invisible.
4. Click Delete on the opening form.

Advanced poll settings

Polls with single or multiple responses

You can enable or disable multiple responses for emoji, numbered and select-list poll types. When multiple responses is enabled for a emoji or numbered poll, your users can respond multiple types by reacting with multiple emojis or clicking multiple numbered buttons. For select-list polls, your users are able to select multiple options while responding to your poll.

Anonymous or public polls

You can change response privacy for numbered, select-list and free-form poll types. There are three options:

• Responses are public: Everyone can see the responses of each other.
• Responses are anonymous until the poll is closed: Everyone can see the responses but cannot see which user responded with which option until the poll closed.
• Responses are always anonymous: Everyone can see the responses but cannot see which user responded with which option.

Closing time of a poll

You can set a closing time for a poll. While creating a poll, you can change the default unlimited option to any of the provided time periods. Unlimited means that the poll will not close automatically.

Scheduled polls

You can create a poll long before posting it and manage its settings from the DM sent by Poll by Actioner. Scheduled polls are perfect for such scenarios:

• Feedback polls before, during and after a workshop to make real-time improvements.
• Gathering opinions from users at different stages of product development.

How to schedule a poll

1. In Slack, type /poll-by-actioner and then select Create a poll.
2. Proceed with one of the poll types.
3. On the opening form, fill out the necessary fields.
4. Navigate to Poll scheduling section and select Scheduled poll.
5. Provide starting date and time.
6. Click Create poll button to save your poll.
7. After creating your poll; you will be getting a DM from Poll by Actioner in Slack. In this notification, below buttons are available:

• ⚡ Post the poll now: Shares the poll instantly, cancelling the previously scheduled date and time.
• 🗑️ Cancel the poll: Cancels the poll.

Recurring polls

Actioner allows creating regularly used polls once and watch them repeat in a given frequency. Recurring polls are perfect for such scenarios:

• Measure employee engagement and morale consistently over time.
• Keep track of consumer preferences and market trends regularly.

How to create a recurring poll

1. In Slack, type /poll-by-actioner and then select Create a poll.
2. Proceed with one of the poll types.
3. On the opening form, fill out the necessary fields.
4. Navigate to Poll scheduling section and select Recurring poll.
5. Provide starting date and time.
6. Select the frequency of your poll.

• Daily: Repeats the poll every day at the specified starting time.
• Daily (Weekdays): Repeats the poll every weekday at the specified starting time.
• Weekly: Repeats the poll every week on the same day of the week as the start date.
• Monthly: Repeats the poll every month on the same day as the start date.

7. Click Create poll button to save your poll.

Managing recurring polls

1. In Slack, type /poll-by-actioner and then select Search your recurring polls. On the opening form, provide the following:

• Channel: (optional) The channel that recurring poll is sent to. You can search in all channels by selecting Clear selection option.
• Status: Whether the recurring poll is active or not.

After providing channel and status options, click Search to see the list of recurring polls that match with the given criteria. On this list, you can use Check details option to delete or to find the instances of a recurring poll.

Updating a recurring poll

To update a recurring poll, run Search your recurring polls and navigate to the poll you want to update. Use Check details option in the dropdown list that is placed top right of the listed poll. Proceed with ✏️ Update future instance button on the recurring poll details window.

Find instances of a recurring poll

To find previous instances of a recurring poll, run Search your recurring polls and navigate to the poll you want to see details. Use Check details option in the dropdown list that is placed top right of the listed poll. Proceed with ✏️ 🔍 Find instances button on the recurring poll details window.

On the opening screen, you will see the last 10 instances of the selected poll. This list will include opening dates, open/closed details and links to the polls.

Deleting a recurring poll

To delete a recurring poll, run Search your recurring polls and navigate to the poll you want to delete. Use 🗑️ Delete option in the dropdown list that is placed top right of the listed poll. Note that deleting a recurring poll will not change the polls that were previously created.

Using AI (NLP) to create polls

Poll by Actioner includes an AI assistant that helps you create a poll in a conversational manner.

To use this feature, simply mention the bot by typing @Poll by Actioner and then provide the details about the poll you want to create. Please do not forget to invite Poll by Actioner to your channel.

After mentioning @Poll by Actioner in your message, the bot offers you available poll types and enables you to easily create a new poll. There are three ways that you can utilize AI while creating a new poll:

• @Poll by Actioner create allows you to create a poll using the default poll type.

• @Poll by Actioner {explaining poll details} creates a poll from your message. Here are some examples:

  @Poll by Actioner create free-form poll about happy friday

  @Poll by Actioner create single-select poll for feedback, options between 1 to 10

  @Poll by Actioner create emoji poll about workplace happiness, starting this friday and recurs every month at 3 pm

• @Poll by Actioner {full or partial name of a poll template} creates a poll using a template.

Editing your poll

To update your poll,

1. Click ⚙️ Poll settings button on the message sent to your channel.
2. Proceed with ✏️ Edit poll button on the next screen.
3. Make your updates on the opening form.

Viewing responses

To view responses to your poll,

1. Click 📊 View responses button on the poll message sent to your channel.
2. You can switch between different views using the dropdown at top left. Available views are:

• Responder list with the selected option, option percentage and count. If responders are not anonymous, you can choose to get a full list of responders in a DM.
• Distribution of responses
• Respondents vs. non-respondents

Sending reminders

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To send reminders to users who have not responded,

1. Click ⚙️ Poll settings button on the poll message sent to your channel.
2. Proceed with 🔔 Send reminder button on the next screen.
3. Continue with one of the below options:
   • Send reminder to channel members: Sends a reminder message to the non-respondent users in the selected channel.
   • Send reminder to all users in workspace: Sends a reminder message to all non-respondent users in your Slack workspace.

Closing your poll

To end your poll,

1. Click ⚙️ Poll settings button on the poll message sent to your channel.
2. Proceed with 🏁 Close the poll button on the next screen.
3. When your poll is closed, no one can respond to it. Note that closing a poll is a permanant operation and cannot be undone.

Creating poll templates​

Actioner's Poll app offers pre-designed templates however you can also add your custom templates.

1. Create a poll that you want to save as a template.
2. Navigate to ⚙️ Poll settings button on the message sent to your channel.
3. Click 💾 Save as template button.
4. Give a name to your custom template.
5. Determine if the template will be modifiable or not. Modifiable templates can be modified and deleted by everyone. Non-modifiable templates cannot be modified by anyone and can only be deleted by you.
6. Your template will be available while creating a new poll.

Using help command in Slack

Type /poll-by-actioner help command in Slack to get a slack message that explains all the details about Poll by Actioner.

FAQs

Is the poll app free? Are there any associated costs or credit consumption?​

Poll by Actioner is completely free and does not entail any costs or credit consumption. It's accessible to users on all plans, offering robust polling features without affecting your Actioner plan credits.

I'm unable to create polls after mentioning "@Poll by Actioner".​

Make sure that Poll by Actioner is invited to the channel you are sending your message.

Can I close a poll before the scheduled time?​

Absolutely. Navigate to ⚙️ Poll settings button on your poll and then use 🏁 Close the poll button.

Is it possible to post a scheduled poll immediately?​

Yes, you can. When a poll is scheduled, you'll receive a DM from Poll by Actioner. Click Post the poll now button to share it before the scheduled time. You may also use Cancel the poll button to cancel your poll.

Is it possible to make emoji polls anonymous?​

It is not possible to hide the users who reacted with emoji, Hence, anonymity isn't possible for polls that are voted via emojis.

Is there a limit on the number of custom poll templates I can create?​

There's no limit. Feel free to create as many custom templates as you need.

Is it possible to update the poll after it is created?​

Yes. To update your poll, navigate to ⚙️ Poll settings button on the message sent to your channel and then proceed with ✏️ Edit poll option. You can update the voting period, privacy settings, and the option to allow multiple responses.

How can I restrict specific users to respond to a poll?​

Currently, restricting users is not possible. In these situations, we recommend setting a channel with only the related people invited.

Can I have multiple questions in a single poll?​

This feature is not available this time, however stay tuned for this update.