How to edit responses in Google Forms

Interactive step-by-step tutorial

We’ve all made mistakes when filling out an online form. But if you’re the one responsible for maintaining accurate data, incorrect responses to your forms could lead to headaches down the line. That’s why online form builders like Google Forms allow users to edit their responses.

You need to know how to make updates to your respondents’ answers in the event they’ve made a mistake or need to provide more updated information. After all, data is only powerful when it’s accurate. Keep reading to get a better understanding of the response editing process in Google Forms and to discover a Google Forms alternative that can make it easy for respondents to change their answers.

What is Google Forms?

Google Forms is an online form builder that’s part of the Google Workspace suite. This online form-building solution is free to use for anyone with a Google account and offers users the ability to create a variety of forms from scratch or through provided templates. Depending on your needs, you can use Google Forms to create, edit, and share surveys, quizzes, questionnaires, and more to collect information from target audiences.

Why you may need to edit form responses

When your respondents are filling out their forms, there’s a chance they’ll make a mistake or two. Whether it’s a misspelled email address or outdated information, an error can cause problems when you’re reviewing your form data.

That’s why having an edit form response function is so important for online form builders like Google Forms. As your users submit their responses, you can keep an eye out for any potential errors that could skew your data or lead to roadblocks later on.

For example, if you send out a signup form that requires users to submit their email, address, or phone number, any errors in this data set will prevent you from communicating with respondents effectively in the future. Respondents who are RSVPing or signing up for event time slots may also change their mind and reach out to update their answers, which will require you to change their responses in your spreadsheet.

How to edit responses in Google Forms

Inaccurate responses can occur no matter what type of forms you’re sending out, so understanding how to edit responses is essential to keeping your data correct and up to date. Follow these steps to learn how to edit responses in Google Forms and avoid issues with unreliable information.

1. Open Google Forms and click on the form with responses that need to be updated.

2. Once your form is open, click on the Responses tab above your form.

3. In the Responses tab, click Link to Sheets to connect your form to a Google Sheets spreadsheet.

4. If a spreadsheet for this form doesn’t already exist, select the Create a new spreadsheet option, enter your spreadsheet name, and then click Create. If a spreadsheet already exists, click Select existing spreadsheet and then click Select to choose which spreadsheet you’d like to open.

5. Edit your responses as needed in your linked Google Sheets spreadsheet. Google Sheets should automatically save, but check to be sure your information is updated before closing your spreadsheet.

It’s important to note that any changes you make to form submissions will only be updated in your Google Sheets spreadsheet. These changes won’t update in your Google Forms Responses tab.

How to edit responses easily with Jotform

Google Forms may allow you to edit responses in Google Sheets, but the functionality is limited. You can’t add automation, workflows, or other beneficial features.

Using a powerful Google Forms alternative like Jotform offers more flexibility. With Jotform, you can edit responses and leverage advanced features such as

• Automatic data synchronization and management through Jotform Tables
• Notification emails to update respondents on the status of your edits
• More than 100 integrations to connect your data with your tech stack
• Automated workflows with Jotform Approvals
• Data analysis through Jotform Report Builder
• Offline form and response management with Jotform Mobile Forms

If you’re looking for the best way to control your form data, Jotform has more to offer compared to Google Forms.

How to edit responses in Jotform

Editing responses with Jotform is simple. Not only does Jotform offer you a way to ensure your responses are accurately updated, but it also offers two separate methods to do so based on your needs.

Try using one of these two options to edit form responses with Jotform.

Inline editing

Editing form responses in your Jotform Tables spreadsheet is the most straightforward way to update your data. Here’s how to get started:

1. Open Jotform Tables and select the table associated with your form. Then click View Table to open your table.

2. Double-click on the response field you want to edit, then make your updates. Changes should save automatically, but check before closing the page.

Entry editing

Unlike inline editing, entry editing allows you to replace inaccurate form submissions with an updated copy — without asking your respondents to submit a new form response. This method is useful if you need to trigger a workflow associated with a form submission, such as sending an email to respondents notifying them that an update was made.

Here’s how to start entry editing:

1. Open Jotform Tables and select the table associated with your form. Then click View Table to open your table.

2. In the far-left column of the entry you’d like to edit, click on the three vertical dots next to the star icon to open the Entry menu. Then click on the Edit Entry option to edit the respondent’s answers for that form.

3. Update the form’s responses and click the Submit button at the bottom to resubmit the form. If you wish to exit the form without resubmitting, click the circular X button in the top-right corner to exit without saving.

With Jotform, you can also ask your respondents to edit their own answers rather than making the updates yourself. Simply request a submission update to send them a link and allow them to change their response. You can also include a link for users to edit their responses in the thank-you page for your form.

While Google Forms makes it possible to edit responses, alternative form builders like Jotform take the functionality to the next level. Try using these online form builders to streamline your response editing process and take advantage of powerful additional features.

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