Google Forms is a fast, free, and easy-to-use online tool that has several great uses when you need to get information from a lot of people. This guide covers the best ways to make good use of Google Forms, including creating surveys, contact forms, quizzes, and more.
Good to know: learn how to make a Google Form public and share it with others.
1. Create Surveys
One of the main purposes of Google Forms is to help you create surveys. It’s free and allows you to include an unlimited number of questions. Once you create a survey, you can save it and convert it to a template. Getting started is easy, just press the + button in the lower-right part of the display on the main Google Forms page.
You can add questions, titles, descriptions, and images from your computer or the Web, videos via URL or YouTube, and sections that organize your survey by question or topic type. A color palette button is also available to apply color to your survey. Once you send out your survey, click the Responses tab to check your responses in Google Forms. You can also receive email notifications for new responses.
However, if you get many responses and just want a quick overview, this is available from the Summary section (under Responses), which displays answers using bar and pie charts. If you prefer to save your responses for later, Google Forms has extra features that let you download them as a CSV file or print them out. When you no longer need more responses, you can deactivate the form using a convenient slider.
Tip: tried Google Forms and didn’t like it much? This list of Google Forms alternatives may be a better fit for you.
2. Set Up Quizzes or Assessments
If you’re part of the education sector, you can use Google Forms to create quick quizzes and assessments. To start creating a quiz, open a new Google Form, then click the Settings tab at the top.
Toggle on the switch next to Make this a quiz at the top. Also decide whether you’d like to release the marks immediately after each submission or later after a manual review.
A variety of question types is available for you to choose from, like multiple choice, short answers, and more. For a quiz, you can set point values and correct answers for the questions. You can also add automatic feedback for correct or incorrect answers.
3. Create Event RSVPs, Invites, and Registration
Are you planning an event like a wedding or party, maybe even a workplace function or business networking meeting, and want to get an estimate of who will attend and how many people are available? You can do all this and more using Google Forms.
If you want, you can create your own from scratch, following pretty much the same steps as when creating a survey.
Alternatively, Google Forms also offers a few templates for RSVP, Party Invite, and Event Registration, so if you’re not feeling up to building your own forms, you can use these instead. Reach the templates by going to the Google Forms page and hovering your mouse over the + button. An option for Templates should appear right away.
FYI: you might want to get up to speed on how to manage multiple Gmail accounts and check email in one place.
4. Generate Workplace Documentation
There are several ways Google Forms come in handy in the workplace to create official documentation without a graphic designer’s help. For access, open Templates, and check the Work section.
For instance, Google Forms offers a Work Request form, which is rather basic with information fields like name, email address, description, due date, and more. But you can modify it to suit your particular set of needs.
In addition, you can find a template to request time off. It includes a convenient section that allows you to describe the reason for requesting leave, but it’s optional.
If your job entails seeking feedback from clients or employees, you can use the Customer Feedback or Event Feedback templates. For customers, there’s also an Order Form you can share with them.
5. Build Contacts Form
This is a great way of getting feedback or questions from customers: for example, if you run a website or company blog.
Visitors to your site may want an easy way to connect besides social media or official email, and the contact form is the perfect channel.
In Google Forms, you can create a contact form from a blank form, or use a template and embed it on a page to collect readers’ comments and standard information, like name, phone number, and email address in a Google Sheet.
Tip: if you’re just starting out with PayPal, learn how to set up an account.
6. Process Payments
You can use Google Forms to process payments for orders coming through your business. It allows customers to know where to pay.
For instance, you can use the Order Request template and include the link for the payment once the customer has submitted their order. To set that up, switch to the Settings tab, and click on Presentation.
Press Edit under Confirmation message to add your payment link. Once someone fills out the order request, they can also send their payments your way by clicking on the link. Alternatively, upload an image of a QR code for payments somewhere in your form.
Related: whether you’re a student or teacher, learn how to leave a Google Classroom.
Google can help you create forms for free and assist you with other tasks as well. For instance, you can take notes with Google Keep, and do other things, too, such as set reminders or transcribe text from a handwritten list. Additionally, Google Calendar lets you share locations and invite people to events.
Image credit: Pexels. All screenshots by Alexandra Arici.