Google Docs isn't the best tool for surveys, but you can build one if you need to

Google Docs lets you add checkboxes, text boxes, and dropdown menus to a document, which technically makes it possible to create a survey. However, Google Forms — a separate tool in the same Google account — is built specifically for surveys and collects responses far more easily. If you're already in Docs and want to stay there, the steps below will work. If you're starting fresh, Google Forms will save you time.

The main limitation of a Docs survey is that responses don't automatically collect into a spreadsheet. People fill out your document, but you have to manually read and record their answers. Google Forms does this automatically and can organize results into charts and graphs without extra work.

Key Takeaways

  • Google Docs surveys work by adding form fields (checkboxes, text boxes, dropdowns) directly into a document that you share with respondents.
  • Responses stay in the document itself rather than collecting into a separate list, so you'll need to read through each submission manually.
  • You can use the "Tools" menu to turn on checkboxes and other form elements, or insert them through the "Insert" menu.
  • Google Forms is the faster choice if you need to collect many responses or want automatic result summaries.

How to add form fields to a Google Docs survey

Open the Google Doc where you want to build your survey. Go to the Tools menu at the top and select Enable checkboxes. This adds a checkbox tool to your toolbar. You can now click the checkbox icon whenever you want to insert a checkbox into your document.

For other types of questions, use the Insert menu instead. Click Insert, then Dropdown or List item depending on what you need. Dropdowns let respondents pick one answer from a list you create. List items work similarly but display as a bulleted list with checkboxes next to each option.

Type your question above each form field, then add the field itself below it. You can mix question types in the same document — some questions with checkboxes, some with dropdowns, some with open text boxes.

Setting up dropdown and list options

When you insert a dropdown or list item, a small dialog box appears asking you to enter the answer choices. Type each option on a new line. For example, if your question is "How often do you use this product?", you might enter:

  • Daily
  • Weekly
  • Monthly
  • Never

Click Save when you're done entering options. The dropdown or list will now show those choices when someone fills out your survey. You can edit the options later by clicking on the dropdown or list and selecting Edit item.

Adding text boxes for open-ended answers

Google Docs doesn't have a dedicated text box tool for surveys, but you can create space for written answers by inserting a table. Go to Insert, then Table, and choose a single-column table with as many rows as you need. Type your question above the table, and respondents can click inside the cells to type their answers.

Alternatively, you can simply type your question and leave several blank lines below it. Respondents can click below the question and type their response directly into the document. This is less structured but requires fewer steps to set up.

Sharing your survey and collecting responses

Once your survey is complete, click the Share button in the top right corner. Choose whether to share with specific people (by entering their email addresses) or create a shareable link that anyone with the link can access. If you want anyone to fill it out without needing a Google account, make sure the sharing setting is set to Viewer access.

When people open your survey, they'll see your document with all the form fields ready to fill in. They can check boxes, select from dropdowns, and type into text areas. Each person who fills it out creates a new copy of the document in your Google Drive, or they edit the original document directly depending on your sharing settings.

Reading and organizing responses manually

Because Google Docs doesn't automatically collect survey data, you'll need to go through each response and record the answers yourself. Open each submitted document, read the answers, and write them down in a spreadsheet or notes file. This works fine for small surveys with just a few respondents, but becomes time-consuming quickly as responses pile up.

If you need to track responses from many people, consider switching to Google Forms instead. Forms automatically collects all answers in one place and can create summary charts showing how many people chose each option.

When to use Google Forms instead

Google Forms is the better choice if you're collecting more than five or six responses, need to see results summarized by question, or want respondents to submit answers without editing a shared document. Forms keeps all responses separate and organized, shows you charts and percentages automatically, and lets you download results as a spreadsheet.

To create a survey in Google Forms, go to forms.google.com, click the plus icon to start a new form, and add questions using the form builder. The process is faster than building a survey in Docs, and the data collection is automatic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can people see other people's answers in a Google Docs survey?

It depends on your sharing settings. If you share the document with "Editor" access, everyone can see and edit the same document, so they'll see previous responses. If you share a link with "Viewer" access, each person gets their own copy and can't see others' answers. For privacy, use Viewer access or create a new copy for each respondent.

Can I make questions required in a Google Docs survey?

No. Google Docs doesn't have a way to require answers to specific questions. Google Forms does have a "Required question" toggle that prevents people from submitting until they answer. If you need required questions, Google Forms is the better tool.

How do I prevent people from editing my survey questions?

Share the document with "Viewer" access only. Viewers can fill out form fields but can't change the text or structure of the document. If you share with "Editor" access, people can modify your questions.

Can I see how many people filled out my survey?

Not automatically. You'll need to count the responses yourself by checking your Google Drive for copies of the document or reviewing the edit history. Google Forms shows you the number of responses in the "Responses" tab at the top.

What's the easiest way to turn my Google Docs survey into a Google Form?

You'll need to recreate it in Google Forms — there's no direct conversion tool. However, Google Forms is usually faster to build from scratch than Docs. Go to forms.google.com, create a new form, and add your questions using the form builder.