Creating a survey form in Microsoft SharePoint can be a powerful way to gather feedback, insights, or data from your team or organization. SharePoint's built-in features allow you to create and distribute surveys with ease. Let's dive into the step-by-step process of creating a survey form in SharePoint.
Before we begin, ensure you have the appropriate permissions to create and manage lists in your SharePoint site. If you're ready, let's get started.
Creating a New Survey List
To create a survey, you'll first need to create a new list in SharePoint. This list will serve as the foundation for your survey.
Here's how to create a new list:
Accessing the SharePoint Interface
First, navigate to your SharePoint site. Click on the 'Settings' icon (gear icon) in the top right corner and select 'Site contents'.
Then, click on 'New' in the top left corner and select 'App'. Choose 'List' from the available options.
Configuring the List Settings
On the 'New' page, enter a name for your list (e.g., 'Employee Satisfaction Survey'). Click 'Create' to proceed.
You'll then be taken to the 'Create a new list' page. Here, you can configure your list's settings. For a survey, select 'Yes' for 'Allow management of content types?' and 'No' for 'Allow items to be created by email?'. Click 'Create' to finalize your list.
Designing Your Survey Form
Now that your list is created, it's time to design your survey form. SharePoint uses columns to structure your form's questions.
Here's how to add and configure columns for your survey:
Adding Columns to Your List
In your list, click on the 'Settings' icon (gear icon) and select 'List settings'. Under the 'Columns' section, click 'Create column'.
Enter a name for your column (e.g., 'Question 1') and select the appropriate column type (e.g., 'Single line of text' for multiple-choice questions). Click 'OK' to create the column.
Configuring Column Properties
To make your columns more engaging and interactive, you can configure their properties. For example, you can make a column required by checking the 'Required' box. You can also add a default value or set the column to display as a drop-down menu.
To configure column properties, click on the column's name in the 'Columns' section of your list settings. Make the desired changes and click 'OK' to save.
Adding Questions to Your Survey
With your columns created and configured, it's time to add questions to your survey. In SharePoint, questions are added as items in your list.
Here's how to add questions to your survey:
Adding a New Item to Your List
In your list, click on the 'New' button in the top left corner. This will open a new item form where you can add your survey questions.
Enter your question in the first column (e.g., 'What is your favorite color?') and provide any necessary instructions in the second column (e.g., 'Please select your favorite color from the options below.').
Adding Options to Your Question
To create multiple-choice questions, you'll need to add options for your respondents to choose from. In the second column, click on the '...' icon and select 'Choose from a list'. This will open a dialog box where you can enter your options (e.g., 'Red', 'Blue', 'Green').
Click 'OK' to save your options. Your respondents will now see these options when they answer your question.
Distributing Your Survey
With your survey form designed, it's time to distribute it to your respondents. SharePoint makes it easy to share your survey with others.
Here's how to distribute your survey:
Sharing Your Survey with Others
In your list, click on the 'Share' button in the top right corner. This will open the 'Share with people and groups' dialog box.
Enter the email addresses of the people you want to invite to take your survey. You can also add a message to accompany your invitation. Click 'Send' to distribute your survey.
Embedding Your Survey in a Page
If you want to embed your survey in a page on your SharePoint site, you can use the 'Embed Web Part' feature. This allows you to display your survey directly on a page, making it more accessible to your respondents.
To embed your survey, navigate to the page where you want to display it. Click on the 'Edit' button in the top right corner. Then, click on the '+' icon to add a new web part. Select 'Embed' from the available options and enter the URL of your survey list. Click 'OK' to embed your survey.
Congratulations! You've now created and distributed a survey form in Microsoft SharePoint. By following these steps, you can gather valuable feedback and insights from your team or organization. Happy surveying!