How to Read Responses From Google Forms

As promised in our first post How to Create a Google Form, we will now go over how to read responses from Google Forms.

In order to receive responses, first let’s go over the ways to send a Google Form.

Sending the Form

There are multiple methods. Each works in a specific way, that might work best for you.

The first method is directly through email. The highlighted envelope icon displays an email template. The email will send a link to the form from the Gmail account used to create the form.

Click the box at the very bottom to embed the form directly in the email. This will give the recipient a preview of the form in the email.

Press the chain icon at the top to get a copy if the link. This link can be sent in any form of messaging.

The <> icon next to the chain icon allows users to embed the email into a webpage.

There is also an option to send a specific message when choosing the email option.

Google also integrates the ability to share the form directly to Facebook or Twitter.

Once the form is sent it will display the generic message or custom message, as well as a button to fill out the form.

Recipients email asking them to fill out the form
Recipient view of the Availability form we created

How Responses Work

When recipients respond, users will receive a notification on the form creation screen. There is also a setting for getting an email every time someone responds.

Google offers multiple ways to view the responses.

Summary offers users an overview of all of the responses for the form.

Although the three different views may look a bit different, they all offer the same information in their respective forms. Navigating and understanding them is something that will come by trying it out and seeing how each spot displays the responses.

Question offers a breakdown of each question and how recipients have responded to that question specifically.

Individual allows users to sort the responses by recipient and focus on them one at a time.

With the fluidity of responses, and the extensive amounts of questions, the best way to get comfortable with google forms is simply to use it.

Response viewed in Individual tab.

Seeing Responses in Spreadsheet form and other options

In the responses tab users can choose to link their form to a Google Sheets document. This will display the information in an editable spreadsheet. Responses will be added to the Sheet automatically as they come in. Rows and columns can also be added to that sheet.

Next to the option to link to sheets, there is a menu represented by three vertical dots. This menu gives users many useful options for the form.

The first one is the ability to receive email notifications whenever a form is filled out. This is very handy when keeping a close eye on the responses.

Underneath that, users can select the destination of the google sheet being used. This will either create a new Google Sheet or allow users to select a pre-existing one.

Users can also use the options in that menu to download, print or delete the responses they have received. The form can even have the link removed from it, which means recipients can not click on it and use it with any link that has been sent out.

If you missed our post on How to Create a Google Form click here.

Additionally, If you have any questions about how to read responses on Google Forms. or our terminology wasn’t clear, please use our contact form to send us a message. Thanks!

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