A Guide to Editing Google Forms on Mobile and Desktop


7 min read 28-10-2024
A Guide to Editing Google Forms on Mobile and Desktop

Google Forms is a free and versatile tool that allows you to create surveys, quizzes, and other types of forms. It's a popular choice for businesses, educators, and individuals alike. Google Forms is known for its simplicity and user-friendliness. You can create forms quickly and easily, without needing any coding experience. They are also highly customizable, allowing you to add different question types, images, and other elements. Once you have created a form, you can easily share it with others and collect responses.

Google Forms is also highly accessible, available on all devices, including mobile phones and tablets. You can edit your forms on both desktop and mobile, making it convenient to make changes on the go. This guide will walk you through the process of editing Google Forms on both desktop and mobile devices.

Editing Google Forms on Desktop

Editing your Google Forms on a desktop computer provides a more comprehensive and user-friendly experience. You have access to more features and customization options, and the larger screen size makes it easier to work with the interface.

1. Accessing Your Form:

  • Open your web browser and navigate to Google Forms.
  • Log in to your Google account.
  • Select your form from the list of your existing forms, or click on the "Create" button to create a new form.

2. Editing the Form Title and Description:

  • Click on the form title at the top of the form to edit it.
  • Click on the "Untitled form" text to edit the form's title.
  • Click on the "Description" section to edit the form's description. You can add text, formatting, and even images to your description.

3. Editing Individual Questions:

  • Click on the question you want to edit.
  • Edit the question text and make sure it is clear and concise.
  • Choose the appropriate question type. You can choose from various question types, including text, multiple choice, checkboxes, drop-down lists, and more.
  • Add answer options. For multiple choice and checkbox questions, add the appropriate answer choices. You can also use a "Short answer" or "Paragraph" question to collect free-form text responses.
  • Change the question's appearance. You can change the font size, color, and other formatting options.
  • Add a description to give more context about what you want the respondents to answer.
  • Make the question required by checking the box next to "Required". This will ensure that respondents cannot submit the form without answering the question.

4. Rearranging Questions:

  • Click on the three vertical dots next to a question.
  • Select "Move".
  • Choose where you want to move the question.

5. Adding Sections:

  • Click on the "Add item" button at the bottom of the form.
  • Select "Add section".
  • Give your section a title. This can help to organize your form and break up longer forms into more manageable sections.

6. Adding Images and Videos:

  • Click on the "Add item" button at the bottom of the form.
  • Select "Image" or "Video".
  • Upload an image or video from your computer or search for one from Google Photos.
  • Adjust the image size and position.

7. Adding a Progress Bar:

  • Click on the "Settings" icon in the top-right corner of the form.
  • Select "Quiz" from the menu on the left-hand side.
  • Check the box next to "Show progress bar".
  • Choose the percentage for each question, and adjust the "Progress bar color" to match your theme.

8. Setting up a Quiz:

  • Click on the "Settings" icon in the top-right corner of the form.
  • Select "Quiz" from the menu on the left-hand side.
  • Check the box next to "Make this a quiz".
  • Select the "Answer key" for each question.
  • Set the points for each question.
  • Choose whether to "Release answer key" to respondents after they submit the form.

9. Customizing the Thank You Message:

  • Click on the "Responses" tab at the top of the form.
  • Click on the "Thank you message" section to edit it.
  • Add text, formatting, and even images to your message.

10. Sharing Your Form:

  • Click on the "Send" button at the top of the form.
  • Choose how you want to share your form. You can copy the link to your form, embed it on a website, or share it through social media.

Editing Google Forms on Mobile

Editing Google Forms on a mobile device provides a streamlined experience, perfect for making quick edits or reviewing your forms on the go. While some features might not be as extensive as the desktop version, you can still make essential changes.

1. Accessing Your Form:

  • Open the Google Forms app on your mobile device.
  • Log in to your Google account.
  • Select your form from the list of your existing forms.

2. Editing the Form Title and Description:

  • Tap on the form title at the top of the form to edit it.
  • Tap on the "Untitled form" text to edit the form's title.
  • Tap on the "Description" section to edit the form's description.

3. Editing Individual Questions:

  • Tap on the question you want to edit.
  • Edit the question text and make sure it is clear and concise.
  • Choose the appropriate question type. You can choose from various question types, including text, multiple choice, checkboxes, drop-down lists, and more.
  • Add answer options. For multiple choice and checkbox questions, add the appropriate answer choices.
  • Change the question's appearance. You can change the font size and color.
  • Add a description to give more context about what you want the respondents to answer.
  • Make the question required by checking the box next to "Required".

4. Rearranging Questions:

  • Tap and hold a question and then drag it to the desired position.

5. Adding Sections:

  • Tap on the "Add item" button at the bottom of the form.
  • Select "Add section".
  • Give your section a title.

6. Adding Images and Videos:

  • Tap on the "Add item" button at the bottom of the form.
  • Select "Image" or "Video".
  • Upload an image or video from your device or search for one from Google Photos.

7. Adding a Progress Bar:

  • The progress bar feature is not currently available in the Google Forms mobile app.

8. Setting up a Quiz:

  • The quiz feature is not currently available in the Google Forms mobile app.

9. Customizing the Thank You Message:

  • Tap on the "Responses" tab at the top of the form.
  • Tap on the "Thank you message" section to edit it.

10. Sharing Your Form:

  • Tap on the "Send" button at the top of the form.
  • Choose how you want to share your form. You can copy the link to your form, embed it on a website, or share it through social media.

Key Differences Between Editing on Desktop and Mobile

While both desktop and mobile editing offer the core functionalities for editing Google Forms, there are some key differences you should be aware of:

Desktop:

  • More extensive editing features: Access to more advanced features like formatting options, video embedding, and the ability to set up quizzes.
  • Larger screen and better visualization: Easier to manage complex forms, visualize layout, and navigate between different sections.
  • Advanced customization: More options for customizing form appearance, including themes, fonts, and color schemes.

Mobile:

  • Simplified interface and streamlined workflow: Easy to edit forms on the go, with a user-friendly interface.
  • Limited functionality: Fewer editing options compared to the desktop version, particularly for quiz setup and advanced customization.
  • Smaller screen size: May limit the ability to manage large forms and visualize layout effectively.

In conclusion, both the desktop and mobile versions of Google Forms offer distinct benefits for editing your forms. The desktop version provides more comprehensive features and a wider range of customization options. The mobile version, on the other hand, provides a more streamlined experience, perfect for making quick edits on the go. The best choice for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences.

FAQs

1. Can I edit a form created on my desktop while using my mobile phone?

Yes, you can edit a form created on your desktop while using your mobile phone. Google Forms synchronizes your data across all devices, so you can edit your forms from anywhere.

2. How do I save my changes after editing a form?

Google Forms automatically saves your changes as you make them. There is no need to manually save your progress.

3. What happens if I make changes to a form that has already been shared?

If you make changes to a form that has already been shared, the changes will be reflected in the form for all respondents. However, any responses already collected before the changes are made will not be affected.

4. How do I delete a form?

To delete a form, open the form in Google Forms and click on the "More" icon in the top-right corner of the form. Then, select "Delete form" from the menu.

5. What are some best practices for editing Google Forms?

Here are some best practices for editing Google Forms:

  • Keep your questions clear and concise.
  • Use appropriate question types.
  • Add answer options that are mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive.
  • Use images and videos to make your forms more engaging.
  • Preview your form before sharing it.
  • Test your form with a few people before sharing it widely.

External Links

Google Forms Help Center

We hope this guide has helped you understand how to edit Google Forms on both desktop and mobile. Whether you are creating a simple survey or a complex quiz, Google Forms offers a flexible and powerful platform for collecting and analyzing data. Remember to use clear and concise language, and make sure your questions are easy to understand. By following these tips, you can create high-quality forms that will help you get the information you need.