In this article
The October 2025 release introduces several major enhancements across Forsta’s visualization tools StoryTeller, StoryCreator, CrossTable, and data management systems with a focus on AI-assisted analysis, UI modernization, and improved data governance.
StoryTeller
StoryTeller templates now store Weight and Date question codes in addition to saved questions and filters.
If a template is applied to a project lacking the corresponding codes, default Weight and Date variables are automatically used.
System variables “Responsedate” and “Weight” are still excluded but will be included in future updates once question-code matching is implemented
Research Agent — New AI-Powered Assistant
The headline feature of this release, Research Agent, introduces a built-in AI assistant for admins within dashboards. It helps users:
Enhance slide layouts
Generate executive summaries
Provide design and analytical insights
Respondent Table — Modernized UI
The Respondent Table setup interface now adopts the new StoryTeller layout, aligning it with other chart/table setup patterns.
The new panel-based configuration appears on the right-hand side.
Includes sections for Summary, Data, Table Settings, Format, and Export.
Live preview updates instantly, though unsaved edits are lost if switching objects.
Enable via Project Settings → Beta Settings → “Use new StoryTeller setup layout.”
CrossTable Tool and StoryCreator
Show Question Codes in Filter Setup
Static filters in both tools now display question codes alongside labels — solving prior confusion caused by duplicate or similar question names. This enhancement improves filter clarity and selection accuracy
Data Management
AI Computes – Expanded Capabilities
Two key updates improve AI-powered data processing:
AI Computes can now use Computes as inputs, enabling complex, multi-source text analysis (e.g., combining open-ended responses across surveys).
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AI Computes are now enabled by default across all installations — no need for Forsta activation.
Available via Admin view.
To disable, simply avoid creating AI Computes within a project
Respondent Data Cleaning — New Feature
A major addition for data integrity management:
Enables creation of data cleaning rules that automatically remove respondents based on imported question data and date conditions.
Executes during project activation, not as a daily batch job.
Only imported questions can be used (not project-created variables).
Deleted respondents cannot be restored, but a full log of deleted IDs is available in both the Activation Log and the Respondent Cleaning page
Project Administration
Email Notifications on Failed Activation
Activation notifications have been extended:
Users now receive email alerts for failed activations as well as successful ones.
If an activation is interrupted, status is automatically cleared and notification emails are sent
Custom Date Formatting
A highly requested enhancement introduces user-defined date formats based on .NET custom date and time format strings:
Manage under Project Settings → Layouts and Formats → Date formatting.
Users can combine standard elements (e.g., dd MMM-yyyy, wwww yyyy) and even include static words (e.g., “Week 24, 2025”).
Static text in date formats is not translatable.
Custom formats apply system-wide across charts, tables, and other visuals