Blog Post

Microsoft Forms Blog
2 MIN READ

What is Microsoft Forms

Kathy Liu's avatar
Kathy Liu
Icon for Microsoft rankMicrosoft
Sep 27, 2017

Microsoft Forms is a simple, lightweight tool that lets you quickly create a form, collect responses in real time, and view automatic charts to visualize your data. You can build a form in minutes – no training necessary – and respondents can fill it out on any browser without having to install a separate app.

 

With Microsoft Forms, you can create:

  • Surveys: Collect customer feedback, measure employee satisfaction, and organize team events
  • Quizzes: Measure student knowledge, evaluate class progress, and focus on topics that need improvement
  • Polls: Find out what the class thinks of your trip idea, where the team wants to meet, or how attendees react to your presentation.

 

Microsoft Forms is deeply integrated with Office365 apps to provide a seamless experience for basic data collection. Please note some of the integration feature are under rolling out and will be available for your organization soon.

 

We also have new tools for more heavy-duty needs, as you can also create custom forms with PowerApps and SharePoint lists. You can streamline, automate, and transform your business solutions with rich forms, process automation, and custom mobile apps.

 

As part of the Office 365 suite, Microsoft Forms adheres to the compliance, security, and privacy levels you’ve come to expect from the Office 365 apps. Companies can collect information without users having to go to non-secure solutions, and there isn’t a need to build and maintain custom surveying tools. IT admins can also manage user licenses and enable or disable Microsoft Forms co-authoring outside of their organization.

 

FAQ

Will Microsoft Forms replace Microsoft InfoPath?

  • Microsoft InfoPath was designed to create customizable forms that can enable automated workflows. Microsoft Forms is a basic, lightweight app intended to quickly collect information via surveys and quizzes.
  • Microsoft InfoPath has been replaced by SharePoint Lists, Flow, and PowerApps – modern solutions for digitizing traditional company forms, automating workflows, and transforming business processes. Learn more.

What is the difference between Microsoft Forms for PowerApps and SharePoint?

  • PowerApps let you connect to your existing cloud services and data sources to quickly build custom apps that your organization can view, edit, and share.
  • In a SharePoint list, you can create custom forms such as contact lists, travel approvals, purchase requests, and customer service tickets.

Who can use Microsoft Forms?

  • Office 365 Education subscribers and Office 365 commercial subscribers. Learn more.

Does Microsoft Forms provide admin control?

  • IT admins can manage user licenses and enable or disable co-authoring of Microsoft Forms outside their organization.

Where is data stored for Microsoft Forms?

  • Microsoft Forms data is stored in a compliant, Azure database in the United States and Europe.

Start to create your first form from http://forms.office.com. Find more information at here.

Published Sep 27, 2017
Version 1.0

10 Comments

  • GarySkyrme's avatar
    GarySkyrme
    Copper Contributor

    No, the ... gives Settings, Print Form, Feedback and Terms.

    This is on a personal account not a work one, so this must be the problem. It just seems odd that I can share documents from my OneDrive with anyone, but seemingly not a form.

  • Ok - I have one more opportunity than you:

     

    "Share to cooperate"

     

    Do you get more options if you click the ... in the upper right corner?

     

  • GarySkyrme's avatar
    GarySkyrme
    Copper Contributor

    Hi,

    Sending it is no problem - it has 70+ responses.

    I have an option to share as a template, but this creates a copy of the form without the existing responses. I want other people to be able to view the responses as well.

    Thanks,

    Gary

     

  • Hi Gary

     

    If you want to share the Form you have the different options up in the right corner

    The first picture shows how to send it to the responders - the second and third screenshot is where you go to share and cooperate with others:

     

     

  • GarySkyrme's avatar
    GarySkyrme
    Copper Contributor

    Hi.

    I've been directed here by Microsoft Support.   I have a Microsoft Form that I need to transfer to another person.  I have followed the instructions in the help section but I don't see the correct option: I just have this 

    How can I either transfer this form or at least allow another person to view it and download responses?

    Thanks.

  • scitechgen's avatar
    scitechgen
    Copper Contributor

    Having an image as part of a question is a great feature. However, if the option to insert image with each answer (in multiple choice questions) is provided, it makes it more useful for educational purpose. E.g. Write the name of the graph shown - linear, exponential, parabolic, etc. 

  • noahsparks's avatar
    noahsparks
    Bronze Contributor

    Kathy Liu - is there an overview / introductory video we might reference when introducing this app to audiences? Many thanks!

  • Franck Sombo's avatar
    Franck Sombo
    Copper Contributor

    I find this tool really great and much flexible. Having it as an integrated solution is pretty a very good plus. But it would take a little more to make you choose it as a main surveying tool. The branching feature is quite a positive value-add. It would be good if you had option to select additional features such as matrix questions and other major survey options, for it be able to live by its name and function as a survey tool.

  • Hi - We're using Forms for educational purposes.

     

    In addition to giving comments on each answer a student gave in a test, it was earlier possible to give a general, all-over comment to the test - why is this not longer possible? And will it come back?

     

     

    Gry

  • Ron Wolf's avatar
    Ron Wolf
    Copper Contributor

    In Office 365 pro plus outlook 2016, how do you add the quick poll Forms button so you can do quick forms from Outlook?