Ever found yourself needing to create a survey, but the thought of complex survey tools feels a bit overwhelming? Fear not! Google Docs has a hidden gem of a feature that allows you to create simple yet effective surveys without leaving the familiar Google environment. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make a survey in Google Docs.
Before we delve into the specifics, let's clarify that Google Docs' survey feature is targeted towards straightforward, simple surveys. It's not a replacement for dedicated survey tools like Google Forms or SurveyMonkey, but it's perfect for internal questionnaires or quick, casual surveys.
Setting Up Your Survey in Google Docs
To start your survey, open Google Docs and click on 'ūüí° Blank'. Name your document (e.g., 'My Survey'), and then let's dive into the settings.
First, click on 'View' in your menu, then 'Print layouts'. This will adjust your document's layout to fit the print format, which is useful for surveys as it ensures your questions are neatly aligned.
Formatting Your Survey Questions
Google Docs supports automatic numbering of questions. To use this feature, start your question with a number, followed by a dot and a space (e.g., '1. ' or '2. '). Press 'Enter' after each question to create space for answers.
For multiple-choice questions, use '-' (dash) followed by a space before each option. For example:
``` 1. What is your favorite fruit? - Apple - Banana - Cherry ```
Creating Answer Choices
Your respondents can type their answers directly below each question. For multiple-choice questions, they simply select their answer by clicking on the bullet point. To make the responses clearer, you can format your questions with bold text using '' tags (e.g., '1. What is your favorite fruit?').
For open-ended questions where respondents need to type in their answers, you can use the '·' symbol (shift + 8) to create a text box. For instance:
``` · Please share your thoughts on our new product: ```
Sharing Your Survey in Google Docs
Once you've created your survey, it's time to share it. Click on 'Share' in the top-right corner, then 'Advanced'. Under 'Who has access', change the setting to 'Anyone with the link can view'. This will make your survey accessible to anyone with the link. You can also set the share settings to ' Anyone at [Your Organization] with the link can view' if you're using it internally.
To share the survey, simply copy the link and send it to respondents. When they click on the link, your survey will open in a new tab, ready for them to complete.
Collecting Responses
To view responses, you can scroll down, and Google Docs will automatically create a new section below your questions with respondents' answers. With each response, you'll see their answer immediately below the corresponding question, separated by a line for clarity.
Google Docs' survey feature is a simple yet effective tool for creating and collecting responses. While it may not offer the advanced features of dedicated survey tools, it's a useful addition to your Google Workspace for quick, casual surveys.