Creating a survey in Google Forms

Overview
Creating a Google Forms survey
Adding and editing survey questions
Customizing survey appearance
Previewing, publishing, and sharing a survey
Collaborating on a survey with colleagues
Additional resources

Overview

This guide provides instructions for creating a Google Forms survey.

Quickstart samples

If you're in a hurry, you can jump to our walkthrough guide for setting up two common types of surveys:

Google Forms sample survey: Event RSVP form
Google Forms sample survey: Anonymous feedback survey

Google Forms vs. other survey software

Google Forms is one of the easiest survey tools to use, but be aware that it is not approved by the OCISO for the storage of confidential data, including FERPA-protected data.

If Google Forms does not meet your needs, refer to our guide for more options: Understanding online survey tools at USC.

Creating a Google Forms survey

Quick guide

Go to https://usc.edu/googledrive.
If you are prompted to sign in:
1. The Shibboleth page appears. Sign in using your USC NetID and passphrase.
2. The Duo page appears. Complete the verification.
Google Drive opens. In the upper left, click + New and select Google Forms.
Google Forms creates a new blank form. Click Untitled form to rename the form. You can optionally add a description underneath the title.
You can now begin adding questions and answer choices to the survey.

Detailed guide (with screenshots)

Go to https://usc.edu/googledrive.
If you are prompted to sign in:
1. The Shibboleth page appears. Sign in using your USC NetID and passphrase.
2. The Duo page appears. Complete the verification.
Google Drive opens. In the upper left, click + New and select Google Forms.
Google Forms creates a new blank form. Click Untitled form to rename the form. You can optionally add a description underneath the title.
You can now begin adding questions and answer choices to the survey.

Adding and editing survey questions

Add a question

Click the Add question icon in the right toolbar.
By default, Google Forms adds a multiple choice question. To change the question type, click Multiple choice and make another selection. Note that if you select the File upload type, the survey can only be answered by respondents with a Google account (does not have to be an @usc.edu account).

Edit a question

Duplicate, delete, or reorder a question

To duplicate or delete a question, use the icons at the bottom of the question.

To reorder a question, select the question by hovering or clicking on it. Then, click and hold the move icon at the top of the question, and drag the question up or down to another location on the form.

Make a question required

To require a response to a question, select Required at the bottom of the question.

Add a description to a question

Click the More options icon at the lower right of the question, and select Description.

Add other text or content

Use the toolbar that appears to the right of the form to add the following non-question types of content:

Title and description
Image
Video
Section

Customize the end of survey message

By default, once a respondent submits their survey, the message they receive is "Your response has been recorded." You can customize this message:

Quick guide

Click the Settings tab at the top.
Next to Presentation, click the Expand icon.
Next to Confirmation message, click Edit.
Type a new message, and click Save.

Detailed guide (with screenshots)

Click the Settings tab at the top.
Next to Presentation, click the Expand icon.
Next to Confirmation message, click Edit.
Type a new message, and click Save.

Customizing survey appearance

Click the Customize Theme icon at the top of the form. The Theme panel opens to the right of the form, and you can customize the following options:

Text: Typeface (font) and text size
Header image: Appears at the top of the form
Theme color: Form highlight color and background color

Previewing, publishing, and sharing a survey

Preview survey

To preview the survey, click the Preview icon at the top of the form.

Finalize and publish survey

Quick guide

Click the Settings tab.
Review the list of settings, and change any options as needed.
When you're ready to publish, click Publish at the top of the form.
By default, the survey is available to responders within the University of Southern California. To change this:
1. Click Manage.
2. The sharing settings appear. Next to Responder view, click University of Southern California and select another option.
3. Click Done.
Click Publish.

Detailed guide (with screenshots)

Click the Settings tab.
Review the list of settings, and change any options as needed.
When you're ready to publish, click Publish at the top of the form.
By default, the survey is available to responders within the University of Southern California. To change this:
1. Click Manage.
2. The sharing settings appear. Next to Responder view, click University of Southern California and select another option.
3. Click Done.
Click Publish.

Get survey link

Quick guide

Click Published at the top of the form.
Click Copy responder link.
Select Shorten URL, and click Copy.
You can now paste this link elsewhere, such as in an email or on a website.

Detailed guide (with screenshots)

Click Published at the top of the form.
Click Copy responder link.
Select Shorten URL, and click Copy.
You can now paste this link elsewhere, such as in an email or on a website.

Collaborating on a survey with colleagues

To share the survey in editable mode with a colleague:

Quick guide

At the top of the form, click the Share icon.
Type your colleague's email address to add them as a collaborator. They do not have to be from USC, but they will need a Google account.
Click Responder and select Editor. You can optionally add an expiration date and a message.
Click Send.

Detailed guide (with screenshots)

At the top of the form, click the Share icon.
Type your colleague's email address to add them as a collaborator. They do not have to be from USC, but they will need a Google account.
Click Responder and select Editor. You can optionally add an expiration date and a message.
Click Send.

You can transfer survey ownership to a collaborator.

Additional resources

Create, edit, and format Google Forms (Google resource)
Google Forms Essential Training (LinkedIn Learning course)