Response360 users can utilize the External RFPs & DDQs Module to digitize and answer incoming questionnaires. While answering a question, you can search your Answer Library directly from the question and apply a matching answer — without leaving the questionnaire. This is useful as a manual fallback when Smart Response autofill or AI generation hasn't surfaced the answer you need.
To learn more about automatically generating answers with Smart Response, please see our full help article:
Note: Search Answer Library is available when answering questionnaires through the External RFPs & DDQs Module. It is not available when responding to Assessments, or on table-answer type questions.
Note: Your account needs the Smart Response property enabled to see this feature. If you don't see the Search Answer Library on your questions, contact your Account Manager or Support.
This article covers the following topics:
Opening the Answer Library Search Panel
From a question in the External RFPs & DDQs Module, click Search Answer Library as shown below.
The panel opens on the right side of the screen, and the question you're working on stays visible while the panel is open. Opening or closing the panel does not affect your answer, comments, or attachments for the question.
To close the panel, click the X at the top of the panel.
Note: If Comments or View Suggestions is already open for the question, clicking Search Answer Library closes it and opens the Answer Library Search panel in its place. The reverse is also true: opening Comments or View Suggestions while the Answer Library Search panel is open closes the panel.
Note: The panel also closes automatically whenever you move to a different question — whether by selecting it from the question list or using the Previous or Next buttons. Click Search Answer Library again on the new question to reopen it.
Panel Layout
The Answer Library Search panel has three parts: the search bar, a Previous Searches section, and the search results area.
Searching the Answer Library
Enter a search term in the search bar and press Enter to run your search. While your search is running, a loading indicator appears; results populate the results area once they're ready.
Keyword and Semantic Search
After you run a search, tabs appear letting you switch between Keyword and Semantic results. Keyword is selected by default.
Note: The Semantic tab only appears if semantic search is enabled for your instance.
Search Results
Each search result card shows:
- The source Questionnaire, Partner, and Product
- A result count for your search
- A usage count for the answer
- The answer's current Status (for example, Verified)
- Any attachments or notes tied to the answer
Click a result to expand it and view the full answer text and metadata. If the answer text is longer than the visible area, a scroll bar appears within the expanded card.
Results load automatically as you scroll to the bottom of the list; there's no pagination.
Note: If your search doesn't return any matches, the panel shows "no results found" instead.
Managing Previous Searches
The Previous Searches section lists the searches you've run during your current session. These are kept for as long as your session is active, even if you close the panel or move to a different question.
You can delete a previous search from the list, or clear your current search text to return to the empty/Previous Searches state.
Applying or Reviewing a Result
Applying Answers
Click Apply Answer on a result to populate your current question with that answer, along with any notes and reference files attached to it. Clicking Apply Answer does not close the Answer Library Search panel, so you can keep browsing results.
Note: The applied answer's source is set to Answer Library Match, which overwrites any existing source on the question (for example, an AI-generated answer). If you apply another result afterward, it replaces the previously applied answer.
Note: Search Answer Library is not available on table-answer type questions.
Viewing in the Answer Library
Click View in Answer Library on a result to open its associated Q&A record in the Answer Library module. It opens in a new tab, so your questionnaire session stays open.
FAQ
Why don't I see Search Answer Library on my question?
Search Answer Library is only available when answering questionnaires through the External RFPs & DDQs Module, and isn't shown on table-answer type questions. Your account also needs the Smart Response property enabled — contact your Account Manager or Support if you believe this should be turned on for you.
Does applying a search result affect my other AI-generated suggestions?
No. Applying a result from Search Answer Library only updates the current question's answer, notes, and reference files. Any existing AI-generated suggestions remain available to review separately.
Are my previous searches saved permanently?
Previous Searches are kept for your current session only, even across panel closes and question changes. They are not intended as a permanent saved-search list.