How to Duplicate a Google Form: A Comprehensive Guide
Duplicating a Google Form is a straightforward process, allowing you to quickly create copies for different purposes without rebuilding them from scratch. Here’s how you do it: Open the Google Form you wish to duplicate. Then, click on the three vertical dots (More option) located in the top-right corner of the screen. From the dropdown menu, select “Make a copy”. A dialog box will appear, allowing you to name the new copy and choose the destination folder in your Google Drive. Finally, click “OK”. A new tab will open with the duplicated form, ready for you to customize.
Diving Deeper: Why Duplicate Google Forms?
Duplicating Google Forms is a crucial skill for anyone using Google Workspace. It’s a massive time-saver, especially when you need slightly different versions of the same basic form. Think about it: setting up different surveys for different demographics, creating quizzes with variations for each class, or iterating on a feedback form based on previous responses. Instead of rebuilding from zero each time, duplication allows you to leverage your existing work, making adjustments where needed. This not only increases efficiency but also reduces the chance of errors and maintains a degree of consistency across similar forms. Imagine, for instance, you’re a teacher creating weekly quizzes. Duplicating the template form means you only need to change the questions each week, maintaining the format and settings.
Step-by-Step Guide to Duplicating a Google Form
Let’s walk through the process again, highlighting key details:
Access the Source Form: Open the Google Form that you intend to copy. Ensure you have editing access to this form; otherwise, you won’t be able to duplicate it.
Locate the “More” Menu: Look for the three vertical dots, also known as the “More” menu, typically located in the upper-right corner of the Google Form interface. This menu is your gateway to many administrative functions, including duplication.
Select “Make a Copy”: Click on the “More” menu. A dropdown list will appear. Find and select the option labeled “Make a copy.” This initiates the duplication process.
Customize the Copy Settings: A dialog box will pop up, prompting you to define the settings for the duplicated form:
Name: Give your duplicated form a new, descriptive name. This helps differentiate it from the original form and other copies. Be specific about its purpose (e.g., “Feedback Form – Q3 2024”).
Destination Folder: Choose where you want to save the duplicated form in your Google Drive. Keeping your forms organized will save you headaches later. Create a dedicated folder for forms if you handle them frequently.
Share it with the same people: This option allows you to keep the same collaborators that you have in the original form in the duplicated form as well. You might want to remove them if you are sharing different things in each one.
Finalize and Create: After configuring the name and destination, click the “OK” button. Google Forms will then create a duplicate of your form based on your specified settings. A new tab will automatically open, displaying the duplicated form, ready for further modifications.
Post-Duplication: What to Do Next?
Now that you have a duplicated form, what’s next? This is the crucial part where you tailor the copy to its intended purpose.
Review and Edit Questions: Carefully review all the questions in the duplicated form. Modify, add, or remove questions as needed to align with the new form’s goals.
Adjust Settings: Revisit the form settings (e.g., collecting email addresses, restricting responses, showing progress bar, shuffle questions). These settings might need to be different for the new form.
Update Response Destination: If the original form’s responses were being sent to a specific spreadsheet, ensure you update the response destination for the duplicated form to avoid mixing data. You can create a new spreadsheet for the duplicated form’s responses.
Test Thoroughly: Before distributing the duplicated form, thoroughly test it yourself. Fill it out and submit a test response to ensure everything is working as expected. This is critical for catching any errors before they impact real users.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Duplicating Google Forms is generally straightforward, but here are some common pitfalls to watch out for:
Forgetting to Change the Name: A common mistake is forgetting to rename the duplicated form. This can lead to confusion, especially if you have multiple copies. Always give your duplicated forms descriptive names immediately.
Overlooking Response Destinations: Failing to update the response destination can result in data from the duplicated form being mixed with the original form’s data. Double-check this setting to prevent data integrity issues.
Not Testing the Duplicated Form: Skipping the testing phase can lead to embarrassing errors or malfunctions. Always submit a test response to ensure the form is working correctly before sharing it.
Google Forms: The Power of Templates
While we’ve focused on duplicating existing forms, remember the power of Google Forms’ built-in templates. These templates offer a starting point for various form types, saving you even more time and effort. You can access these templates by clicking the “+” (New Form) button on the Google Forms homepage and then selecting “From a template.”
FAQs: Duplicating Google Forms
Here are some frequently asked questions about duplicating Google Forms:
1. Can I duplicate a Google Form if I only have view access?
No, you need editing access to duplicate a Google Form. If you only have view access, you’ll need to request editing permission from the form owner.
2. Where does the duplicated Google Form get saved?
The duplicated Google Form gets saved to your Google Drive in the folder you specify during the duplication process. If you don’t select a specific folder, it will be saved to your main “My Drive” location.
3. Will the responses from the original form be copied to the duplicated form?
No, the responses from the original form are not copied to the duplicated form. The duplicated form starts with a clean slate and will collect new responses independently.
4. Can I duplicate a Google Form that is owned by someone else?
Yes, if you have editing access to the form. If you only have view access, you won’t be able to duplicate it.
5. How can I share a Google Form after I have duplicated it?
After duplicating the Google Form, click on the “Send” button in the top-right corner. You can then share the form via email, a direct link, or embed it on a website.
6. Will the add-ons installed in the original Google Form also be copied to the duplicated form?
Yes, some add-ons will be copied, but it depends on the add-on. It’s always a good idea to check the add-ons in the duplicated form to ensure they are working as expected.
7. Is there a limit to how many times I can duplicate a Google Form?
No, there is no specific limit to how many times you can duplicate a Google Form. However, consider the storage space in your Google Drive.
8. Can I duplicate a Google Form directly from Google Sheets?
No, you cannot duplicate a Google Form directly from Google Sheets. You must first open the Google Form and then use the “Make a copy” option.
9. What happens to the short URL of the original form when I duplicate it?
The short URL is unique to the original form and will not be copied to the duplicated form. The duplicated form will have a new, separate short URL (if you create one).
10. If I make changes to the original form after duplicating it, will the changes be reflected in the duplicated form?
No, changes made to the original form will not be reflected in the duplicated form, and vice versa. They are independent copies after the duplication process.
11. Can I duplicate a Google Form that has branching logic?
Yes, you can duplicate Google Forms with branching logic. The branching logic will be preserved in the duplicated form. However, always test the duplicated form to ensure the branching logic is working correctly.
12. How do I prevent others from duplicating my Google Form?
The best way to prevent unauthorized duplication is to restrict editing access to only those who need it. If you don’t want anyone else to duplicate your form, don’t give them editing permissions. Only provide view access.
Mastering the art of duplicating Google Forms unlocks a significant productivity boost in Google Workspace. By understanding the process, avoiding common mistakes, and leveraging the power of templates, you can streamline your workflow and create customized forms with ease. Happy forming!
Leave a Reply