OBJECTIVES:   Over the past two decades use of the traditional paper-and-pencil survey has waned as options for electronic data collection have been shown to be rigorous and more cost-effective.  Although research supports equivalence of paper and electronic administration modes, evidence examining the impact of changes in item form required to accommodate small format electronic devices is lacking.  This study examined the impact of a single item (SI) presentation versus grid display (GD) for score equivalence, measurement properties and adherence to the conceptual framework of the SF-36v2.   METHODS:   The SF-36v2 standard recall form was electronically presented as part of a US national norming study.  Survey results from SI (N=2037) and GD (N=2003) administrations were then scored.  ANCOVA models compared SI and GD scale scores. A Multi-trait Analysis Program (MAPR) and principal components analysis (PCA) were used to examine the measurement properties and test the conceptual framework of SI and GD data. RESULTS:   Mean score comparisons revealed small differences between SI and GD on seven scales (all p<0.01).  Mean differences (.43 to 1.42), however, failed to reach the minimally important difference of 3 points indicating relative equivalence.  MAP-R analyses showed that, for both item formats, SF-36v2 items had excellent convergent validity with their hypothesized scale (r>0.4) and each item correlated higher with its hypothesized scale than with others (divergent validity).  PCA results showed that the hypothesized two-dimensional structure of physical and mental health was evident in both formats as the pattern of correlation between scales and principal components was consistent with a priori hypotheses and the two components explained the majority of variance in the eight scales (>75%). CONCLUSIONS:   Single item presentation, which separates items from the contextual cues of their traditional grid format, results in scores and measurement properties consistent with GD, and maintains the underlying conceptual framework of the SF-36v2.