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There are many online survey creators available to businesses. These tools help organizations connect with audiences and receive valuable feedback.
While many services promise to be a free survey maker, this is rarely the truth. Lots of “free” survey tools hide features behind premium memberships that cost a fee.
You may be able to make surveys for free, but it costs you money to send the form to others. Or, you can only ask certain types of questions unless you pay to unlock more features.
Google Forms free online survey tool is a rare exception. It is absolutely zero cost and there are no restrictions. You gain access to every feature and can make and send as many survey forms as you wish.
Most free survey makers are basic in their offerings. You can only make simple questionnaires, not the professional quality businesses need.
On the other hand, Google Forms is a robust survey maker with several features and settings. You can make custom feedback questionnaires and other forms with little hassle.
Google Forms enables you to ask any style of question (multiple choice, open-ended, rating scale, ranking, etc.). With these options, you can make varied surveys that audiences enjoy taking.
The tool even helps when it’s time to send the survey and tabulate the results. It is easily the best free survey maker available. It will transform how you approach customer feedback from start to finish.
This discussion will explore how to use the Google Forms free online survey tool. We’ll cover the process from creating surveys to analyzing the responses.
Table of Content:
- What is the Google Forms Free Online Survey Tool?
- How to Conduct an Online Survey for Free Using Google Forms?
- How to Export Responses to Excel from the Google Forms Free Online Survey Creator?
- How to Visualize and Analyze Survey Data in Excel?
- Wrap Up
Many people sign up for a Google account to use Gmail, the company’s popular email service. What you may not realize is this Google account gives you access to many other powerful tools.
One of these tools is Google Forms. This Google app helps users create and send forms or other documents (including surveys) to others.
For instance, there are several Google Forms templates, such as:
- Customer Feedback
- Event Feedback
- RSVP
- Order Form
- Party Invite
- Quizzes
You can edit any template to fit your needs, adding questions, pictures, videos and other elements. You can also opt to make a completely blank form from scratch.
With so many free features and options, you can make the high-quality surveys you always wanted. There are no roadblocks or obstacles to deter you from utilizing certain features.
You can send finished forms to any audience through an email list or direct link. Alternatively, Google Forms allows you to share completed forms on Facebook or LinkedIn. There are no limits to how many forms you send.
As you start gathering responses, the data appears instantly. The Google Forms free online survey tool even gives you few simple visualizations to help break down the results.
These simple features facilitate the audience feedback process from survey creation to results analysis. You can’t ask for more from a free survey maker!
How to Conduct an Online Survey for Free Using Google Forms?
Let’s walk through each step required to use Google Forms free online survey creator. This will help you make sense of the tool’s various features and capabilities.
The first step is to create a Google account. Again, if you have a Gmail address or even a YouTube account, you may already have a Google account to use. Otherwise, it is very easy (and free) to sign up.
With your Google account, visit any Google site (Google, Gmail, Google Drive, YouTube, etc.). You’ll notice a grid of 9 dots at the top-right corner, next to your user profile.
Alternatively, you can simply search for Google Forms using the search engine.
After you access Google Forms, your first step is to choose a free survey maker template. Again, you have several template options to choose from. You can also make a blank form.
For these instructions, we’ll use the blank template. This will give complete freedom to how we design our Google Forms for survey.
You can put a title and description on your survey if you want. Then, you can begin writing your first survey question. As you type the question into the designated field, the Google Forms free online survey system will automatically update the available responses to match.
For example, if you type in “Rate your experience today”, the question type and available responses will change to a rating scale. However, if your survey item says “Describe the best part of your experience with us today”, the field will change to a long-form answer.
It’s a subtle feature but it saves a lot of time when writing lots of survey questions!
When you’re satisfied with the Google Forms free survey you created, click the purple “Send” button at the top of the page. This will pop up the following menu:
These are all the options you have for sending surveys to customers and other audiences. It’s very easy to select how you want to share your questionnaires and other forms.
To check on your survey responses, click on the “Responses” tab at the top of the form.
You’ll see how many total responses the survey received and the distribution of answers for each question.
How to Export Responses to Excel from the Google Forms Free Online Survey Creator?
Google Forms free tool offers a basic overview of your response data. However, you may want to export the results of Google Forms to Google Sheets or Excel for deeper analysis.
Thankfully, the Google Forms free online survey tool makes it very easy to do this. Under the Responses tab, you can click the “Link to Sheets” link.
You’ll be able to create a new spreadsheet for the data, or select an existing one.
For Excel users, the process is a little longer, but still very easy. Instead of clicking “Link to Sheets”, you’ll choose the three vertical dots next to it.
This creates a dropdown menu with the option to download your responses as a .csv file.
Choose the location on your device for the file download to go. Then, open up Excel, import the .csv file and presto! Your is exported from Google Forms to Excel.
How to Visualize and Analyze Survey Data in Excel?
The more survey responses you receive, the harder spreadsheet analysis becomes. A few rows quickly grow to hundreds. It’s all too much stuff to take in and understand.
This is known as data overload, where it becomes paralyzing to look at your spreadsheets. Data visualization provides a solution for this tiresome wall of numbers.
Data visualization means taking data and visually depicting it with charts, diagrams, dashboards, etc.
There’s some powerful science to back up the effectiveness of charts. For instance, your brain processes visual information 60,000 times faster than raw text or numbers.
It’s the classic saying, “a picture is worth a thousand words”. Charts display thousands of numbers in a visual format. With the right survey chart, you can see what’s happening behind your data instantly.
Plus, charts help communicate the results of your Google Forms free online surveys to others. It’s a much better way to share audience insights between departments or with clients and stakeholders.
Once your survey data is in Excel, it’s very easy to turn it into a visualization. For the best survey charts, we recommend downloading ChartExpo, an add-in for Excel from the Microsoft AppSource.
ChartExpo enhances charting in Excel in two major ways. First, it adds several new chart types not previously found in Excel. This includes options like the Likert Scale Chart or CSAT Score Survey Chart.
How to Install ChartExpo in Microsoft Excel?
- Open your Excel application.
- Open the worksheet and click on the “Insert” menu.
- You’ll see the “My Apps”.
- In office Add-ins window, click on “Store” and search for ChartExpo on my Apps Store.
- Click on “Add” button to install ChartExpo in your Excel.
ChartExpo charts are available both in Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel. Please use the following CTA’s to install the tool of your choice and create beautiful visualizations in a few clicks in your favorite tool.
How to Create a Likert Scale Chart in Excel?
Let’s say you want to do a customer satisfaction survey. First let’s have a look on questions which you have asked to customers:
- How much satisfied are you with variety of products offered by store?
- How much satisfied are you with the quality of our product?
- How much satisfied are you with our delivery service?
- How much satisfied are you with the product descriptions?
Below are the responses (feedback) that are associated with each questions:
- Extremely Dissatisfied
- Dissatisfied
- Neutral
- Satisfied
- Extremely Satisfied
Finally prepared the data table as shown below:
| Responses | How much satisfied are you with variety of products offered by store? | How much satisfied are you with the quality of our product? | How much satisfied are you with our delivery service? | How much satisfied are you with the product descriptions? |
| Response 1 | Extremely Dissatisfied | Neutral | Extremely Satisfied | Satisfied |
| Response 2 | Satisfied | Dissatisfied | Extremely Satisfied | Satisfied |
The above table is just sample data. In actual scenarios you will be having a lot of responses and more questions as well.
- To get started with ChartExpo, install ChartExpo in Excel.
- Now Click on My Apps from the INSERT menu.
- Choose ChartExpo from My Apps, then click Insert.
- Once ChartExpo is loaded. Click on “Likert Scale Chart” from the list of charts.
- Click “Create Chart From Selection” button after selecting the data from the sheet, as shown.
- When you click on Create Chart From Selection you have manually map responses with numbers. The Likert scale has this arrangement:
- Extremely Dissatisfied = 1
- Dissatisfied = 2
- Neutral = 3
- Satisfied = 4
- Extremely Satisfied = 5
- Once all set click on Create Chart.
- The Likert Scale Chart will look like as follows.
- If you want to have the title of chart, click on Edit Chart, as shown in the above image.
- To change the title of the chart, click on the pencil icon that is available very next to Chart Header.
- It will open the properties dialog. Under the Text section, you can add a heading in Line 1 and enable the Show option. Give the appropriate title of your chart and click on Apply button.
- Let’s say you want to add text responses instead of numbers against every emoji.
- Click on pencil icon next to respective emoji, expand the “Label” properties and write the required text. After that click on “Apply All” button.
- Let’s hide the Stats which comes on the left corner for every bar.
- For that click on highlight pencil icon on the top of Overall bars. Then, expand “Stats” properties and disable the “Show” option. Once done click on “Apply All” button.
- To persist these changes made to the chart, you can click on the “Save Changes” button.
- Your final chart will look like as below.
Insights
- 62% customers indicated that they are satisfied with variety of products offered by store and the 28% indicated that they are dissatisfied with variety of products offered by store, & 10% said they want to be neutral.
- 67% customers indicated that they are satisfied with the product quality but 20% said they are dissatisfied with the product quality.
- 66% customers said they are satisfied with delivery service and 20% indicated that they are dissatisfied with delivery service.
- 66% customers indicated that they are satisfied with the product descriptions and the 22% indicated that they are dissatisfied with the product descriptions.
Overall view, 65% of respondents are satisfied with the product and store. Out of 32% amazing experience with the product and store. 23% are dissatisfied with the product and store. The Grey area is representing neutral which means they are neither satisfied nor unsatisfied with a product and store, which is 13%.
FAQs:
How do I create a free survey in Google Forms?
Google offers survey tools free of charge. You can make high-quality questionnaires and send them to as many customers as you wish.
All you need to get started is a Google account. If you use Gmail for your private or business email, you’re already ready to use the Google Forms free online survey service.
Simply visit the Google Forms app page, choose a template or blank form, and start making your survey.
These Google survey tools free you from other confusing audience feedback forms. It’s incredibly easy to use and takes minutes to learn.
When you’re done, you can send the form to customers and see their responses in real-time. You can also export results to Excel or Google Sheets for easier analysis.
Is the Google Forms survey free?
Yes. Google Forms is a free survey maker. You only need a Google account to start using these survey tools for free. This account also doesn’t cost anything. You may already have one to use.
Google Forms’ free online survey creator offers every feature to users. It is not a “freemium” service, like many other tools that claim to be free.
These tools let you create simple surveys, but keep most features behind a premium subscription fee. This drastically limits what you can do for no cost.
Conversely, the Google Forms free online survey maker doesn’t have any paywalls or premium subscriptions. Every user has access to the same features and service level.
Wrap Up
Customer surveys are a valuable way to engage with your target audience and find out what they are thinking and feeling. With one survey, you can learn everything your customer wants and doesn’t want. That’s some pretty valuable intel!
However, many free survey tools and online survey creators lack the features you need to make quality audience feedback forms. Or, they hide the best functions behind a premium subscription.
That’s not quite free, is it?
When you want a truly free survey maker, there is no better option than Google Forms. It is absolutely free and has all the capabilities you need to make exceptional surveys.
Here is a quick recap of what you can expect from Google Forms’ free online survey creator:
- Multiple templates to get you started making feedback forms immediately.
- Google Forms automatically predicts what type of question you’re asking by the context, saving you time when building surveys.
- There are many different question types to choose from, creating varied feedback forms that are engaging to participants.
- Google Forms automatically tabulates responses and shows you the data in real-time.
- Export your survey results to Google Sheets or Excel in seconds.
If you want a free survey maker that takes you from creating the questionnaire to analyzing the results, choose Google Forms!
FAQs
Can you use Likert scale on Google Forms? ›
Google forms does not have a separate question type for Likert scale. You can use a multiple choice grid with require a response each option enabled to create a Likert scale question. You can also use a multiple choice question with Likert scale as answer choices.
How do you create a Likert scale in forms? ›Start by selecting add new, from the menu, select more, from the context menu select Likert, Then enter the question text in the question field, next, enter the statements in the statement fields. If additional statements are needed, select add statement. Then, enter the options in the options fields.
How do I create a multiple rating scale in Google Forms? ›- Open you Google Forms.
- Create a Multiple choice grid question, and type your question in.
- In Rows, add first choice, second choice, third choice and so on.
- In Columns, add choices from which you want respondents to choose.
- Turn on Require a response in each row.
Bar and Pie charts used to visualize Likert scale responses. However, the best way to visualize Likert scales is to build a Diverging Stacked Bar Chart.
How do you make a 5 point Likert scale? ›Step 1: For each question on the questionnaire, calculate the total number of responses for each sentiment level (Strongly Disagree, Disagree, Neutral, Agree, Strongly Agree). Step 2: Add the totals, and divide by the total number of respondents: 1 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 5 = 6 / 2 respondents = 3.
What is the difference between Likert scale and Likert-type? ›The difference between the Likert-type scale and a full-blown Likert scale is that the Likert-type scale only uses a five-point (or seven-point, or whatever you prefer) to answer on a single question. A full-blown Likert scale on the other hand uses a series of statements that explore different dimensions of a subject.
How do you get a 5 star rating on Google Forms? ›Insert your Ratings form in the 'Detail Page' content box. The shortcode will look like the shortcode below, where x is the form ID. Preview the View and submit a couple of test entries in the Ratings form. Go back to edit your View to add the average star rating.
What is the rating scale on Google survey? ›Users can answer a question with a rating scale of 5, 7, 10, or 11 stars (e.g., “Not interested” to “Very interested”). This question type can be served on the Google Surveys publisher network.
How do I visualize a Likert scale in Excel? ›To present Likert Scale findings you need a visualization that can visualize the survey data perfectly, and that visualization is a Likert Scale Chart. Since Excel does not have a Likert Scale chart, you can use the ChartExpo add-in to create a Likert Scale Chart in Excel to present your findings.
How do I analyze Google form results? ›You can see a summary of all responses or look at individual responses on the Response tab. You can also view the form questions by clicking on the Question tab. To switch between individual responses, click the individual's email.
Does Google Form allow multiple responses? ›
The multiple-choice option you see asks one question and gives a list of possible answers. Instead, what we want is a number of questions that all have the same answer options. You can create that by clicking the dropdown in the upper right-hand corner of the form that currently displays Multiple choice.
How many rating scales can you use in a performance form? ›Five-level performance management scales are most commonly used, but employers may choose alternatives.
Does Surveymonkey have a Likert scale? ›You can create a Likert scale on your own with these two question types: The Matrix/Rating Scale question type, which allows you to assign custom weights to answer choices. If you make it a single-row rating scale, the question will look like a multiple choice question to people taking your survey.
Do surveys use Likert scales? ›Similarly, the Likert scale is a valuable and important part of survey research, which is commonly used in public health evaluation. A Likert scale is an ordered scale from which respondents choose one option that best aligns with their view.
How do you code a Likert scale questionnaire? ›Yes responses are typically coded as 1 and No responses are typically coded as 0. When it comes to responses to Likert-Scale items, enter the number of their response: oftentimes 4 for Strongly Agree, 3 for Agree, 2 for Disagree, and 1 for Strongly Disagree.
What is better than a Likert scale? ›A Likert scale will provide you with the participants' agreement or disagreement with the asked statements. A Semantic Differential scale will provide you with information on where your participants' view lies on a continuum between two contrasting adjectives.
What is the best data visualization for Likert scale? ›Histograms of the actual score values are the best way to visualize Likert data—they have two real axes, showing counts by score value or category, so you can parse the visual and understand the results very quickly.
What is the best statistical test to use for Likert scale? ›Using a Pearson correlation test, you assess whether the overall score for your Likert scale is related to age.
Why is a 5 point Likert scale better than a 3 point? ›Five-point scales are then better theoretically because they provide three pieces of information: direction (positive/negative), intensity of opinion, and a neutral point.
Is Likert scale survey qualitative or quantitative? ›Are Likert Scales Quantitative or Qualitative? Likert scales give quantitative value to qualitative data. For example, it may be designed to measure how much a person agrees with a statement regarding a product's value and assigns a data point to it. This is one reason why the scale is almost universally loved.
What does a 5 point Likert scale look like? ›
A type of psychometric response scale in which responders specify their level of agreement to a statement typically in five points: (1) Strongly disagree; (2) Disagree; (3) Neither agree nor disagree; (4) Agree; (5) Strongly agree.
Why are Likert scales criticized? ›The use of Likert scale instruments for measuring teachers' beliefs is criticized because of amplifying social desirability, reducing the willingness to make differentiations, and often providing less or no contexts.
Is Likert scale a good tool? ›When you want to focus on a specific topic on which you want to know more, look no further than Likert scale surveys. Using them is the best way to understand your customers' opinions, feedback, attitudes, and emotions on any topic. They are probably the best survey scaling method.
What is the main reason to use a Likert scale? ›The main advantage of Likert Scale questions is that they use a universal method of collecting data, which means it is easy to understand them. Working with quantitative data, it is easy to draw conclusions, reports, results and graphs from the responses.
Does Google Forms have a ranking system? ›The “Rows” and “Columns” fields in the question box are where you'll enter the ranks and the different options that respondents can choose from.
What does the Red Star mean in Google Forms? ›A red asterisk means that the field is "required" and you won't be able to submit the form without filling that field.
How many Google reviews do I need to increase my rating? ›For text ads and shopping ads to show star ratings, sellers are typically required to have at least 100 reviews in the last twelve months. Google treats reviews on a per-country basis, and so the minimum review threshold of 100 also applies only to one region at a time.
What is the difference between Likert scale and rating scale? ›How is a Likert Scale different from a rating scale? A Likert scale is a specific type of rating scale that exclusively focuses on a range of answers on a spectrum. A rating scale can consist of any number of rating choices, such as stars or numeric responses as are used in an NPS question type.
How do you create a rating scale? ›- Some basic goals.
- Use a limited number of scale points.
- Always include a middle or neutral alternative in the middle.
- Display answers in order.
- A clear description of what each of the answers means on the scale.
- What to keep in mind.
What is a 5 Point Scale Survey? A close-ended question with five answer choices is known as a 5 point scale question. Surveys that feature these questions is called 5 point scale survey. Imagine a scenario where you want to find out how your employees feel about the casseroles in the breakroom. Are they too salty?
Can Chi Square be used for Likert scale? ›
A variety of options for analyzing Likert scale data exist including the chi square statistic. The chi square statistic compares survey respondents' actual responses to questions with expected answers to assess the statistical significance of a given hypothesis.
How do you get the weighted mean in Likert scale using Excel? ›To calculate the weighted average in Excel, you must use the SUMPRODUCT and SUM functions using the following formula: =SUMPRODUCT(X:X,X:X)/SUM(X:X) This formula works by multiplying each value by its weight and combining the values. Then, you divide the SUMPRODUCT but the sum of the weights for your weighted average.
Can you use ANOVA to analyze Likert scale? ›ANOVA is a comparison of means but a Likert scale is ordinal data. With continuous data (like temperature), you could use ANOVA because the change in temperature from 10 to 11 is the same as 20 to 21. With ordinal data, you'll have things like “1= strongly disagree” up to “5=strongly agree”. ... But ANOVA might be OK.
How do I get statistics from Google Forms? ›- Open a form in Google Forms.
- At the top of the form, click Responses.
- Click More. Download responses (. csv).
Statistical & Qualitative Data Analysis Software: About Google Forms.
Can respondents see results in Google Forms? ›The settings on a Google Form can be changed so respondents can view the survey results. The instructions below describe how to see those responses.
Does Google Forms allow survey logic? ›Adding sections
First, select the question. Then click the Add section button on the menu to the right. After you've added the section, click the three dots in the bottom right to add logic to the question by selecting Go to section based on answer.
One of the most widely used technologies for learning assessment is Google Forms. It is one of the best solutions for alternative learning assessment tools that are effective and easy to do during the COVID-19 pandemic. There are several advantages to using Google Forms as an assessment tool in ELT.
Can Google Forms analyze results? ›You can see a summary of all responses or look at individual responses on the Response tab. You can also view the form questions by clicking on the Question tab. To switch between individual responses, click the individual's email.
Can Google Forms do data analysis? ›Although all of your responses can be accessed within the form itself, there may be times when it's difficult to sort through and analyze everything. Luckily, Google Forms gives you the ability to store and organize your results in a spreadsheet with Google Sheets.
What is the difference between Google Forms and Google survey? ›
Google Surveys can help organizations understand their data by converting it into simple charts and graphs. Unlike Google Forms, which is free to use, Google Surveys charges fees based on the number of completed responses to your survey.
How do I create a dynamic Google Form? ›Choose Question - first go to menu item "Add-ons" --> Dynamic Fields --> Create Mapping" and select a question where you like to create a mapping to insert values dynamically. Please be aware that only questions of type Drop-down, Multiple Choice, Grid, List and Checkbox are displayed for selection.
Should I use SurveyMonkey or Google Forms? ›SurveyMonkey has more advanced logic configurations, but they're only available for paid users. Google's (albeit basic) logic options are free. Quizzes. In Google Forms, you can set point values and correct answers for each question, along with automatic feedback—you can even batch-grade quizzes or grade individually.
What are the disadvantages of using Google Forms? ›Disadvantages of using Google forms
It is necessary to have internet to be able to use this tool. The design customization is very limited. Advanced users can change the design to use the tool with a greater number of purposes. There are some security concerns.
Your Forms Can Be Adaptive
You can actually set up your quiz to adapt and change the questions based on how the student is responding in the moment. Here's an example of a Digital Reading Log that I created that adapts as the students progress through their Form.
- Open a form in Google Forms.
- At the top of the form, click Settings.
- Turn on Make this a quiz. Optional: To collect email addresses, next to “Responses,” click the Down arrow. and turn on Collect email addresses.
- In Forms, open a form or quiz.
- Click Settings. Responses.
- Turn on Allow response editing. After people submit their answers, a confirmation page appears. They can click a link to reopen the form and change their answers.
View Your Google Forms Responses. Visit the Google Forms website, sign in to your account, and select the form to open it. At the top of the form, click the Responses tab. Note that you can see the number of responses you've received right on that tab.
Does Google Forms Analyse surveys for free? ›Google Forms – create and analyse surveys, for free. Create a new survey on your own or with others at the same time. Choose from a variety of survey types and analyse results in Google Forms. Free from Google.
How do I convert Google Forms to data? ›- Open a form in Google Forms.
- In the top left under “Responses,” click Summary.
- In the top right, click More. Select destination for responses.
- Choose an option: Create a new spreadsheet: Creates a spreadsheet for responses in Google Sheets. ...
- Click Create or Select.
Which Google App allows you to analyze data? ›
Use Google Analytics to see how visitors find and use your site—and keep them coming back. Then, use Google Script to import your data into Sheets.