Microsoft Forms - Creating a Form to collect anonymous responses

This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to create an anonymous form using Microsoft Forms. It is intended to help users set up surveys or questionnaires that collect responses without revealing the identity of the respondents. The instructions detail how to adjust form settings, ensure privacy, add questions appropriately, and share the form securely. This guide is particularly useful for anyone needing to gather feedback or conduct surveys while maintaining respondent confidentiality, making it ideal for sensitive topics or general feedback collection where privacy is a priority.

• Open Microsoft Forms:

  • Go to the Microsoft Forms website and sign in with your Microsoft account.

• Create a New Form:

  • Click on “New Form” to start creating your form.
  • Give your form a title and description that clearly indicates the purpose of the form.

• Adjust Settings for Anonymity:

  • Click on the Cog (More Options) button in the upper right corner of the form.
  • Select “Settings” from the dropdown menu.
  • Under the section “Who can fill out this form”, choose the option “Anyone with the link can respond”. This makes the form accessible to people outside of your organization, without requiring them to sign in, which helps in keeping their responses anonymous.
  • Ensure that the option “Record name” is unchecked. If this option is not visible or already unchecked, it means the form is set to not record names.

• Add Questions:

  • Click “Add New” to insert different types of questions (choice, text, rating, etc.).
  • Draft your questions in a way that does not ask for personal information unless absolutely necessary for the context of your form.

• Test Your Form:

  • Before sending it out, it’s a good idea to test your form. You can click on the “Preview” button to see how your form looks from a respondent’s perspective. Fill it out to ensure that no personal data is being collected implicitly.

• Share Your Form:

  • Once you are satisfied with the setup, click on “Share” at the top right of the form.
  • Make sure to copy the link provided and distribute it to your intended audience via email, social media, or any other method you prefer.