Galaxy Ninja

To start off the free tools series it seems only natural to feature Google Forms--the little know online questionnaire component of Google Docs. I’d be the first to admit that I like Google Docs maybe a little TOO much. I can’t seem to suppress the little gleam in my eye when I announce to my co-workers on a daily basis, “I’ll make a Google Doc.” But what most people seem to overlook is that Google Docs are not just limited to the word documents, spreadsheets and presentations, there is also the uncelebrated, highly versatile Google Form. For those of you who aren’t familiar with Google Docs I’ll give you a brief run down: Google Docs are a free online feature of Gmail that allows you to make word documents, spreadsheets and presentations online without the need to download software. Google Docs saves automatically, can be shared in draft form with others and can be accessed from any computer that is connected to the Internet. I prefer to use a Google Doc when writing so if I go from computer to computer I always have access to the most up-to-date draft. When working in a group, Google docs become an invaluable tool because group members can all edit the same document from different computers instantaneously. While it’s generally a little harder to format on Google Docs, the flexibility and adaptability they offer make up for it. Enter the unsung hero, the Google Form. Google Forms are an online questionnaire that automatically compiles the results into a spreadsheet and graph. Google forms takes everything you like about Google docs and creates a way to seamlessly interface with the public. Using Google Forms you can make a customized online questionnaire complete with stylized backgrounds. You can then either send the questionnaire to people by email or direct them there through a link. You can then look at the results in the Google Doc spreadsheet as they are submitted in real time. If my eyes get a little gleam when I recommend using Google Docs they must get awfully shiny when I bring up Google Forms. That’s because I have yet to find a better way to gather and organize large amounts of information. Over the years I have found that Google Forms can be adapted to be simple surveys with a wide circulation such as a ballot for a school election. Google Forms can also be much more complex and guide users to answer with specific details needed for a research study. I currently have a Google Form that I use as a phone script. During my call with a client I take notes in the form answering the questions that I have outlined for myself.  Later my co-workers can review the notes that have been organized for me in the spreadsheet attached to the Google Form. From simple polls to costumer satisfaction surveys; Google Forms makes it easy. It’s as simple to create the questionnaire as it is to answer it. My favorite part is that the answers automatically get entered into a spreadsheet because if there is anything I like more than things that are free it’s things that save me work. So let my favorite free tool, the Google Form, do the work for you. This week’s free tool is available through Google. Simply sign up for a Gmail account (if you don’t already have one) and click on the ‘Documents’ tab. Google Forms are waiting to be discovered.

Filed under: Free Tools by Tegan Perry