Google Forms

Google Forms is a cloud-hosted survey application developed and released by Google. Originally developed to enable users of all knowledge levels to create web-based forms and surveys that can be easily distributed online, edited in a collaborative environment, and gather real-time data.

This app is a part of Google Workspace - Cloud Business Apps & Collaboration Tools. It’s FREE for the first 14 days, Try Now!



All data points collected via Google Forms are saved in the cloud, with an option not only to access it via this app alone but also share it in both data and visual forms (such as charts or tables) to the rest of the Google Workspace (previously known as Google Apps and G Suite) products such as Google Doc Editor, Google Sheets, Slides and others.

In addition to creating surveys, Google Forms for Windows PC can also be used for creating quizzes and specialized forms that are highly effective in the fields of education and marketing.

It has received numerous upgrades since it first appeared on the market more than a decade ago. Today, as a part of the Google Workspace suite, this web application has been updated with the latest collaborative and sharing features found in other popular Google web apps such as Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drawings, and Sites. This includes multi-user real-time editing, streamlined sharing, integration with Google Drive, and much more.



The feature set of Google Forms includes many advanced features that can dramatically increase the daily productivity of users tasked to create surveys, questionnaires, promotional forms, and educational presentations. These tools include the ability to randomize questions, set one answer per question limit, use custom themes, upload additional files when answering surveys, menu search, URL shortening service, support for third-party add-ons, and others. The app also features a built-in AI service that will try to suggest questions or answers, thus speeding up the process of form creation.

Once the form is distributed to the target audience, the app offers a full management solution to track incoming answers. This includes the complete overview of the collected data, real-time or scheduled notifications, the ability to gather email addresses from responders, and built-in tools for exporting data to Google Docs and other apps from the Google Workspace suite.

The app is 100% FREE for all internet users with an active Google Account profile. The app is optimized for all modern browsers, especially Google Chrome and its Chromium derivatives.

Key Features

Intuitive Form Builder: It provides a straightforward interface for creating forms, allowing users to add questions, multiple-choice options, text fields, and more with ease.

Question Types: It supports a variety of question types, including multiple-choice, short answer, paragraph, and scale, providing flexibility in designing surveys.

Customization: Users can personalize their forms with themes, images, and colors to match their branding or style.

Collaboration: Multiple users can collaborate on the same form simultaneously, making it ideal for teamwork and group projects.

Integration: It seamlessly integrates with other Google Workspace apps such as Google Sheets and Google Drive, simplifying data collection and analysis.



Responses and Analytics: View real-time responses and generate detailed analytics, charts, and graphs to gain insights from collected data.

Conditional Logic: Users can set up conditional branching, where the next question depends on the answer to the previous one, enhancing survey flow.

Security: It ensures data security with options for limiting access to specific individuals or groups.

Notifications: Receive email notifications when responses are submitted, keeping you updated on your forms' progress.

Mobile Accessibility: Google Forms is accessible on mobile devices, allowing respondents to complete surveys on the go.

User Interface

It boasts a clean and user-friendly interface. The navigation is intuitive, and the layout is designed to guide users through the form creation process seamlessly. The toolbar at the top provides quick access to various customization options, and the left sidebar displays a list of questions and settings, making it easy to manage your form's content. Overall, the user interface is one of Google Forms' strongest points, ensuring that both beginners and experienced users can easily create and manage forms.



Installation and Setup

Google Forms is a web-based application, which means there's no installation required. Simply open your preferred web browser, navigate to the Google website (forms.google.com), and log in with your Google account. Once you're logged in, you can start creating forms immediately. This hassle-free setup process makes it accessible to a wide range of users.

How to Use

Access the app: Open your web browser, go to forms.google.com, and log in with your Google account.

Create a New Form: Click on the "+ Blank" button to start a new form.

Add Questions: Click on the "+" button to add questions to your form. You can choose from various question types and customize each question as needed.

Customize Design: Use the theme, color, and image options to customize the appearance of your form.

Share Your Form: Click on the "Send" button to share your form with respondents. You can generate a shareable link, send emails, or embed the form on your website.

Collect Responses: As respondents submit their answers, you can view the responses in real-time and analyze the data.



FAQ

Is Google Forms FREE to use?
Yes, Google Forms is 100% free to use (personal plan), and it comes with generous storage limits for form responses.

Can I export form responses to other formats?
Yes, it allows you to export responses to Google Sheets for further analysis or download them as CSV files.

Is there a limit to the number of questions or responses in a form?
While there's no strict limit on the number of questions, extremely long forms may become unwieldy. It can handle a substantial number of responses, but very high traffic may require you to consider paid alternatives.

Can I collaborate with others on form creation?
Yes, it supports collaboration, allowing multiple users to work on the same form simultaneously.

Are my form responses secure and private?
It offers options to restrict access and ensures the privacy and security of your form responses.



Alternatives

Zoho Forms: Zoho Forms is part of the Zoho suite of applications and offers a simple way to create forms and surveys. It includes integration with other Zoho apps and has a free plan as well as paid plans with advanced features.

JotForm: JotForm is a versatile online form builder that offers a drag-and-drop interface, customizable templates, and advanced form features. It has a free plan as well as affordable paid plans with more features.

Microsoft Forms: Microsoft Forms is a web-based survey and form-building tool that is part of the Microsoft 365 suite. It offers a user-friendly interface and integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft Office applications like Excel and SharePoint.

Pricing

For Personal (Free)

• Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms content creation
• Drive Secure cloud storage - 15 GB per user
• Gmail Secure email
• Meet Video and voice conferencing - 100 participants
• Customer support: Self-service online and community forums

Business Standard - $12 USD per user / month

• Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms content creation
• Drive Secure cloud storage - 2 TB per user
• Shared drives for your team
• Gmail Secure email
• Custom business email
• Meet Video and voice conferencing - 150 participants
• Meeting recordings saved to Drive
• Admin Centralized administration
• Customer support: 24/7 online support and community forums

System Requirements

Google Forms is a web-based application accessible on most modern web browsers, making it compatible with both Windows and macOS. It also offers mobile accessibility through its mobile app, available on Android and iOS platforms.

PROS

• Intuitive user interface.
• Free to use with generous storage.
• Seamless integration with Google Workspace apps.
• Real-time response tracking and analytics.
• Customization options for forms.

CONS

• Limited design customization compared to some competitors.
• Not suitable for extremely complex surveys.

Conclusion

Google Forms is a versatile and user-friendly tool for creating online surveys, forms, and questionnaires. It is particularly advantageous for those already within the Google ecosystem, thanks to its seamless integration with Google Workspace apps.

With its intuitive interface, real-time response tracking, and robust features, Google Forms is an excellent choice for individuals, educators, businesses, and organizations looking to collect and analyze data effectively. Plus, the fact that it's completely free makes it an even more compelling option for those in need of a reliable form creation and data collection solution.

Also Available: Download Google Forms for Mac