Save Microsoft Form as File: Step-by-Step Guide

Victoria Jul 07, 2026

In today's digital age, forms are an integral part of our daily lives, whether it's for work, school, or personal use. Microsoft Forms, in particular, has become a popular tool for creating and collecting responses. But have you ever needed to save a Microsoft Form as a file for future reference or to share with others? Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do just that.

Save a document
Save a document

Before we dive into the process, it's important to note that Microsoft Forms doesn't offer a direct 'Save as' option like other Microsoft Office applications. However, there are workarounds to achieve this. Let's explore two common methods: saving responses as an Excel file and exporting the form as a PDF.

How to save Microsoft Forms Responses & Attachments to SharePoint Lists or Libraries & Send Email
How to save Microsoft Forms Responses & Attachments to SharePoint Lists or Libraries & Send Email

Saving Microsoft Form Responses as an Excel File

This method allows you to save the responses collected from your form as an Excel file, which can be easily manipulated and analyzed.

Microsoft Flow - Form, into excel, create word document from template, send email
Microsoft Flow - Form, into excel, create word document from template, send email

First, let's understand the process of saving responses:

Step 1: Access the Responses

Save existing document with different name - Microsoft Word Questions
Save existing document with different name - Microsoft Word Questions

To start, open the Microsoft Form and click on the 'Responses' tab at the top of the page. This will take you to the 'Responses' section where you can view and manage all the responses collected from your form.

Next, select the responses you want to save. You can choose to save all responses or filter them based on date, status, or specific questions.

Step 2: Export the Responses

the settings page for wordpress's new form editor, which allows users to select what type they want
the settings page for wordpress's new form editor, which allows users to select what type they want

Once you've selected the responses you want to save, click on the 'Manage' button at the top of the responses list. A dropdown menu will appear. Select 'Export responses' from the menu.

This will open a new window where you can choose the file format. Select 'Excel' from the list of options. You can also choose to include or exclude the column headers based on your preference.

Exporting Microsoft Form as a PDF

How to Create a Fillable Form in Word | Microsoft Word Tutorials
How to Create a Fillable Form in Word | Microsoft Word Tutorials

If you want to save the form itself as a PDF, rather than just the responses, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the Form in Print Preview

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Connect a Form to a SharePoint List with Microsoft Flow in 3 Steps
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the view or edit form in microsoft forms is highlighted by an arrow pointing to the left
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the bank details page in excel
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First, click on the 'File' tab at the top left corner of the Microsoft Form page. From the dropdown menu, select 'Print'. This will open the print preview window.

Alternatively, you can also right-click on the form and select 'Print' from the context menu.

Step 2: Print the Form as a PDF

In the print preview window, click on the 'Print' button at the top of the page. A print dialog box will open. Instead of sending the form to your printer, select 'Save as PDF' or 'Microsoft Print to PDF' from the printer options.

This will allow you to save the form as a PDF file on your computer.

And there you have it! With these methods, you can easily save Microsoft Form responses as an Excel file or export the form itself as a PDF. Whether you're looking to analyze data or preserve a record of your form, these workarounds should help you achieve your goal.

Remember, the key to effective form management is not just creating them, but also being able to save and manipulate the data they collect. So, the next time you find yourself needing to save a Microsoft Form, you'll know exactly how to do it.