What is the QSF file format?
A .qsf file is a Qualtrics Survey File, the native export format of the Qualtrics online survey platform (an SAP company). It stores the complete *structure* of a survey - questions, response options, display logic, skip logic, branching flow, scoring rules, and survey metadata - but contains no collected response data.
Internally, a .qsf is plain-text JSON built around two top-level keys:
SurveyEntry- metadata: survey ID, name, language, and publish statusSurveyElements- an array of question blocks, survey flow, display-logic rules, and scoring definitions
Researchers and survey designers use .qsf files to back up surveys, share instruments between Qualtrics accounts, or migrate surveys between organizations. Files are imported and exported through the Qualtrics web platform via Tools > Import/Export Survey.
Although .qsf files are readable in any text editor such as Notepad++ or VS Code, Qualtrics strongly advises against manual edits - malformed JSON causes import failures. The format is proprietary and undocumented, and the schema can change silently with platform updates. Response data is exported separately as .csv, SPSS, or JSON via the Data & Analysis module.
Security & safety
RISK: LOWPlain-text JSON file. No executable code. Safe to open in any text editor or import into Qualtrics.
Format details
in a nutshell- Micrografx QuickSilver Graphic Plugin - Legacy graphic plugin format for Micrografx QuickSilver (discontinued; Corel acquired Micrografx in 2001).
- QSound Audio File - QSound Labs audio format (.qsf) - rare legacy audio plugin format, unrelated to surveys.
Programs that open QSF files
Windows3 apps
Qualtrics (web platform)
Paid (institutional/individual subscript Log in to Qualtrics > Create project > Import a survey > upload the .qsf file.
Notepad++ (text editor for inspection)
Open-source Open to read/inspect the raw JSON. Use Plugins > JSON Viewer for readable formatting. 
macOS1 app
Qualtrics (web platform)
Paid (institutional/individual subscript Log in to Qualtrics > Create project > Import a survey > upload the .qsf file. 
Linux1 app
Qualtrics (web platform)
Paid (institutional/individual subscript Log in to Qualtrics via any browser > Create project > Import a survey. Technical details
deep spec| Container | JSON object (plain text) |
| Encoding | UTF-8 text |
| MIME type | application/json |
| Top-level structure | SurveyEntry (survey ID, name, language, status) and SurveyElements (questions, blocks, flow, scoring) |
| Stores | Survey structure: question text, response options, display logic, skip logic, branching flow, and scoring rules |
| Does not store | Response data - collected answers are exported separately as CSV, SPSS, or JSON from the Data & Analysis module |
| Typical file size | 10 KB - 5 MB (varies with question count, embedded logic, and media references) |
| Format versioning | Not publicly versioned; schema changes silently with Qualtrics platform updates |
| File identification | No binary magic bytes; plain text beginning with '{'; identified by the SurveyEntry top-level key |
| Import/export path | Qualtrics web platform → Tools > Import/Export Survey |
| Platform dependency | Web-based; requires a Qualtrics account to import; accessible from Windows, macOS, or Linux |
| Manual editing risk | Malformed JSON prevents import; Qualtrics advises against manual editing of .qsf files |
| Released | ~2010s (Qualtrics platform; exact date undocumented) |
| Specification | www.qualtrics.com |
QSF conversions
Community Q&A
asked by usersNo questions yet - be the first to ask about QSF files.
