How do I create a survey in Microsoft Word?
Use Word’s Developer tools to insert checkboxes, dropdowns and text fields, or convert a Word questionnaire into a Microsoft Form for online responses.
Microsoft Word isn’t designed as a survey platform, but you can build simple forms using built‑in tools. First, enable the Developer tab (File > Options > Customize Ribbon > check “Developer”). This adds form controls to your ribbon. In the Developer tab, click “Legacy Tools” or “Controls” to insert checkboxes, dropdown lists or text form fields. For example, you can create a multiple choice question by listing options and inserting a checkbox next to each. For short answer questions, insert a “Rich Text Content Control” to provide a text box.
Once your questionnaire is ready, protect the document to prevent users from editing anything except the form fields (Developer > Restrict Editing > Allow only this type of editing). Save the file as a .docx and share it via email or upload it to OneDrive. Recipients can fill in fields and return the completed document to you. Note that collecting responses manually in Word documents can be cumbersome.
A more efficient method is to convert your Word questionnaire into an online form. Tools like Microsoft Forms allow you to import questions from Word and send a link to respondents. The responses then populate a spreadsheet automatically. For a step‑by‑step guide to creating forms in Excel, see How can I create a survey in Excel?. If you need a professional survey builder, consider reading Choosing the Right Poll Maker.