When I create a survey in SharePoint, I choose between two methods depending on the requirement:
- Forms for Excel for new sites, a modern interface, and data in Excel.
- Classic SharePoint Survey for traditional SharePoint sites needing granular permissions or skip logic.
Here’s exactly how I do both, step by step, with all important settings covered.
Table of Contents
Why I Prefer Using SharePoint Surveys
Before I show you the steps, let me quickly share why I prefer creating a survey in SharePoint:
- No coding required.
- I can easily control who can respond.
- Responses are saved in one place.
- Works well with other Microsoft 365 tools like Power Automate and Excel.
- If your organisation already uses SharePoint, surveys are included.
Now, let me guide you through the process.
Related guide: Export SharePoint Group Members to Excel
How to Create a Survey in SharePoint – Steps I Followed
When I need to create a SharePoint survey, I explore Microsoft’s official sites. Luckily, I found two solutions that helped me in creating a survey in SharePoint. They are:
Method 1: Create a Survey Using Forms for Excel
Forms for Excel is what I usually use when I want a modern interface with real-time data storage in Excel. Here are the steps that I followed:
#Step 1. Go to the SharePoint Document Library
- Open the SharePoint site.
- Go to Documents or any other document library.
- Click New > Forms for Excel.
#Step 2. Name the Form (Survey)
- Give the survey a name, e.g., Team Feedback June 2025.
- Click Create.
#Step 3. Add Survey Questions,
- Click + Add new for each question.
- Select the question type, including Choice, Text, Rating, etc.
- Configure required fields, options, and order.
#Step 4. Share the Survey
- Click Collect Responses > Copy Link.
- Share the link via Teams, Outlook, or SharePoint pages.
Now, open the linked Excel file in SharePoint to view real-time responses.
Method 2: Create a Survey in SharePoint Classic Survey App
I use this method when I want granular permissions or skip logic. This works well in classic SharePoint sites:
- Open the SharePoint site to create the survey.
- Click on the settings and select Add an App.
- On the Your Apps page, click on the Classic Experience link.
- In the Classic page, search for Survey. Click on the Survey app as shown in the screenshot below.
- Enter a name for your survey and click the “Create” button.
- From the Site Contents page, open your newly created survey.
- Now, to create a survey in SharePoint, go to Survey Settings > Permissions for this survey.
- Break permission inheritance to control who can access.
- Usually, configure > Respondents can only view their own > for privacy.
- Click Add Question.
- Set Type > Choice, Rating Scale, Yes/No, etc.
- Add Branching Logic, if needed, go to Survey Settings > Branching Logic.
- Configure which questions appear based on previous answers.
- Get the Survey URL and share it.
- For viewing and analysing responses, Survey Settings > View Responses > Show Graphical Summary > is great for charts.
- For advanced analysis > Export to Excel.
My Best Practices for SharePoint Surveys
Here’s what I’ve learned after creating several SharePoint surveys:
- The shorter the survey, the more responses you’ll get.
- Make important questions required; otherwise, people might skip them.
- Use branching to make long surveys feel shorter by only showing relevant questions.
- Communicate deadlines: Let participants know when the survey closes.
- I always test permissions with a different account to make sure others can access it properly.
Limitations of SharePoint Surveys
While I find creating a survey in SharePoint useful, I’ve also noticed some limitations:
- The interface feels a bit outdated compared to tools like Microsoft Forms.
- Not as flexible as dedicated survey platforms.
- For advanced analysis, I always export to Excel.
Alternative: For more polished surveys, I sometimes create a form in SharePoint Online.
Author’s Verdict
Both solutions work depending on your requirement, but I usually start with Forms for Excel unless I specifically need skip logic or custom permissions. I hope this step-by-step guide clears this query on how to create a survey in SharePoint quickly.
FAQs About SharePoint Surveys
Q1. Can I create a SharePoint survey?
Yes, SharePoint Online still supports surveys, but they use the classic experience.
Q2. Can I allow anonymous responses in SharePoint surveys?
No, SharePoint surveys require users to be authenticated unless you configure anonymous access at the site level.
Q3. Can I export SharePoint survey results to Excel?
Absolutely. I often use the Export to Excel feature for better reporting. Also, you can export SharePoint List to PDF, if needed.
Q4. What’s the difference between SharePoint surveys and Microsoft Forms?
SharePoint surveys are stored directly within your SharePoint site. On the other hand, Microsoft Forms provides a more modern experience with better reporting. I use SharePoint surveys for quick, internal use, and Forms for larger or external surveys.
Q5. Can I delete responses from a SharePoint survey?
Yes, go to View Responses > Edit Item > Delete.