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khayse's avatar
khayse
Copper Contributor
Dec 23, 2024

MS Forms Mandatory and Branching Issues

Hello, our group is using MS Forms for internal reporting. We started this process about 3 months ago. We have a team of over 200 individuals who use this weekly. Our form has 60-70 questions the majority of the questions are mandatory, and there is quite a bit of branching because we have separate focus areas. Currently, we have over 1,000 responses in our repository. In the last couple of weeks, we have had 3-4 different individuals experiencing the same issue where they have answered a mandatory question, but the MS Forms will not let them proceed even though they provided the required response. They do not get stopped at the same question, but the question they get stopped on is a mandatory response question. The only workaround we have found that works is to have them clear the form and then remove their save link to the MS Form and re-access the form via the original link that was sent out.

We understand this isn’t the original intention for this tool, but we are trying to use it as a workaround solution until next year. My question is this, is there a known issue with MS Forms regarding mandatory and/or branching questions? Would it help to remove the mandatory and or the branching to stop this from occurring? 

  • ItsBhatti's avatar
    ItsBhatti
    Brass Contributor

    If you're facing issues with mandatory questions and branching in MS Forms:

    1. Mandatory Questions: Ensure only relevant questions are marked as mandatory. Irrelevant ones in a branch can cause problems.
    2. Branching Conflicts: Double-check your branching logic to avoid conflicts or loops.
    3. Test the Form: Preview the form to ensure users can navigate smoothly without being blocked by unintended mandatory questions.
    4. Simplify Logic: Keep the branching structure clear and straightforward to minimize errors.
  • Please consider below:

     

    Known Issues with MS Forms

    1. Mandatory Questions Not Recognized: Some users have reported that even after answering mandatory questions, the form does not recognize the response and prevents them from proceeding.
    1. Branching Logic Bugs: Branching can sometimes cause issues where the form does not navigate correctly, especially if the branching logic is complex.

    Potential Solutions

    1. Simplify Branching: If possible, try to simplify the branching logic. Complex branching can sometimes cause the form to malfunction.
    2. Remove Mandatory Requirement: Temporarily removing the mandatory requirement for some questions might help identify if the issue is related to the mandatory setting.
    3. Clear Cache and Cookies: Instruct users to clear their browser cache and cookies before accessing the form again. This can sometimes resolve issues with form submissions.
    4. Update Browser: Ensure that all users are using the latest version of their web browser, as outdated browsers can sometimes cause compatibility issues with MS Forms.

     

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