Microsoft Forms lets you create a survey in your web browser without installing anything

Microsoft Forms is a free tool built into Microsoft 365 and available to anyone with a Microsoft account. You open it in your browser, add questions one at a time, and share a link to collect responses. The tool stores your results in a spreadsheet you can download or view live as people answer.

The entire process — from opening Forms to sending your first survey — takes about 10 to 15 minutes if you know the steps. This guide walks you through creating a new survey, choosing question types, and sharing it so people can respond.

Key Takeaways

  • Go to forms.office.com, sign in with your Microsoft account, and click "New Form" to start a blank survey.
  • Add a title and description at the top, then click the plus icon to add each question one at a time.
  • Choose the question type that matches what you need — multiple choice, text, rating scale, or ranking — before writing the question text.
  • Share your survey by copying the link from the Share button and sending it via email, messaging, or posting it online.
  • View responses in real time on the Responses tab, or download them as an Excel file for further analysis.

Sign in and create a new form

Open your web browser and go to forms.office.com. If you are not already signed in, click "Sign in" and enter your Microsoft account email and password. If you do not have a Microsoft account, you can create one for free at that same page.

Once you are signed in, you will see your Forms home page. Click the blue "New Form" button in the top left corner. A blank form will open with a title field and a description field ready for you to type.

Add a title and description

Click in the title field and type the name of your survey. This is what people will see first, so make it clear what the survey is about — for example, "Customer Feedback on Our Website" or "Team Lunch Preferences."

Click in the description field below the title and add a short explanation if you want one. This is optional, but it helps people understand why you are asking. For example: "We would like to know what you think about our new checkout process" or "Please tell us your top three lunch choices for the team event." When you are done, click outside the description box to save it.

Add your first question

Below the description, you will see a plus icon (+) and the text "Add new." Click the plus icon to add your first question. A new question block will appear with a text field for the question and a dropdown menu that says "Choice."

The dropdown menu controls the question type. Before you type your question, click the dropdown and choose the type that fits what you need. The most common types are:

  • Choice — people pick one answer from a list you provide (radio buttons).
  • Multiple choice — people can pick more than one answer from your list.
  • Text — people type a short or long answer in their own words.
  • Rating — people choose a number on a scale, like 1 to 5 stars.
  • Ranking — people put your options in order from best to worst.

Once you have chosen the type, click in the question text field and type your question. If you chose "Choice," "Multiple choice," or "Ranking," you will see fields to add the answer options. Type each option on its own line.

Add more questions and set them as required

After you finish your first question, click the plus icon again to add a second question. Repeat the process: choose the question type, type the question, and add answer options if needed. Keep adding questions until your survey is complete.

If you want to make a question mandatory — so people cannot submit the survey without answering it — look for the three dots menu (•••) in the top right corner of that question block. Click it and toggle on "Required." A red asterisk will appear next to the question title. You can make some questions required and leave others optional.

To delete a question you no longer need, click the three dots menu and select "Delete." To rearrange questions, click and drag the question block up or down the form.

Customize the look and add a thank you message

Click the paintbrush icon in the top toolbar to change the color scheme and background of your survey. You can choose from preset themes or upload your own image. This step is optional but makes your survey look more polished.

After you finish all your questions, scroll to the bottom and click the plus icon one more time. Instead of adding a question, click the icon that looks like a smiley face to add a "Thank you" message. Type a message that will appear after someone submits the survey — for example, "Thank you for your feedback. We really appreciate it." This gives people confirmation that their response was received.

Share your survey and collect responses

When your survey is ready, click the blue "Share" button in the top right corner. A panel will open with several sharing options. The easiest way is to click "Copy link" to copy the survey URL to your clipboard. You can then paste this link into an email, text message, Slack, or any other place where your audience can see it.

If you want to send the survey directly to specific people, click "Email" and enter their email addresses. Microsoft Forms will send them an email with the survey link built in. You can also choose to let people see results after they submit, or keep results hidden until you decide to share them.

Once people start responding, click the "Responses" tab at the top to see their answers in real time. You will see a summary of each question with charts showing how many people chose each answer. Click "Open in Excel" to download all responses as a spreadsheet file you can analyze further or share with others.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I edit my survey after people have already started answering it?

Yes. You can add new questions, delete old ones, or change the wording of existing questions at any time. People who have already submitted will not see the changes, but new responses will reflect the updated survey. If you make major changes, consider sending a note to people who already answered to let them know.

What if I want to limit responses to people in my organization only?

Click the Share button and look for the option that says "Only people in [your organization] can respond." Toggle this on. The survey link will still work for anyone, but only people with an email address from your organization will be able to submit responses.

Can I see who answered my survey?

By default, responses are anonymous — you see the answers but not the names of the people who gave them. If you want to collect names, add a text question at the beginning asking people to enter their name. You can also turn on "Collect respondent names" in the Share settings, though this requires people to sign in with their Microsoft account.

How do I stop accepting responses?

Click the Share button and toggle off "Anyone with the link can respond." The link will no longer work, and no new responses will be accepted. Existing responses stay saved and you can still view them.

Can I use Microsoft Forms on my phone?

You can view and share a survey on your phone by going to forms.office.com in your mobile browser. Creating a new survey works the same way, though typing longer questions is easier on a larger screen. People can also fill out your survey on their phones — the form automatically adjusts to fit smaller screens.