Ever needed to collect feedback or opinions from a group, but found the process of creating a survey daunting? Google Docs offers a simple, user-friendly way to create surveys without any coding knowledge. Let's dive into how you can create a survey using Google Docs, step by step.
First, ensure you have Google Drive and Google Docs access. If not, you can sign up for a free Google account. Once logged in, open Google Drive and click on 'New' in the left-hand menu, then select 'Google Docs' and choose 'Blank Document'.
Formatting Your Survey
Google Docs automatically opens in a clean, blank page. You can start adding your survey questions here. But first, let's ensure your survey looks professional and well-organized.
Head to the 'View' menu at the top, and click on 'Show rulers'. This will display blue lines on the page, helping you align your questions. Next, click on 'Insert' in the menu, hover over 'Table', and choose a table size. This will create a table for your questions, where each cell can be a separate question or section.
Using Headings
To make your survey easy to navigate, use headings. Click on the 'Home' tab, then click on a heading style (e.g., 'Heading 1' for the main title, 'Heading 2' for subheadings). Type your question or section title and press Enter to start a new line.
For example, if you're creating a customer satisfaction survey, your first heading could be '1. About You', followed by subheadings like 'Age Range' or 'How did you hear about us?'.
Adding Questions
Each cell in your table can contain a question. To add a multiple-choice question, click inside the cell, then click on 'Insert' in the menu, hover over 'Dropdown' and choose the style you prefer. Type your question, then click inside the dropdown box to add answer options.
For open-ended questions, you can simply use paragraph text, as respondents can type their answers directly in the cell. If you prefer, you can use the 'Text Box' option under 'Drawings' in the 'Insert' menu, but this is more for decorative purposes and doesn't provide a text box for respondents to enter answers.
Sharing Your Survey
Once you're satisfied with your survey, it's time to share it. Click on the 'Share' button in the top-right corner and choose who to share it with. If you want to collect anonymous responses, choose 'Anyone with the link can view' and copy the link to share on your website, social media, or via email.
To collect and analyze responses, click on 'Responses' in the top-right corner. Each response will be a new sheet in your Google Docs tab. Here, you can see, analyze, and export your results. You can also click on 'Responses' > 'Question settings' to get a summary of responses for each question.
Tracking Individual Responses
If you want to know who responded to your survey, click on 'Responses' > 'More' > 'View responses'. Here, you can see who responded to each question, but please note that respondents' identities are only visible to you and not to other respondents.
You can also make the survey self-declare by asking respondents to enter their name or email at the beginning of the survey. However, respect respondents' privacy and only use their data for your intended purpose.
Creating a survey doesn't have to be complicated. With Google Docs, it's as simple as setting up a document. Use this guide to create engaging, insightful surveys, and watch your responses roll in. Happy surveying!