Surveys are an essential tool for collecting feedback and data from a group of people. Whether you are conducting market research, gathering customer feedback, or creating a survey for a school project, Microsoft Word is a convenient and accessible tool for creating surveys. In this article, we will guide you through the process of creating a survey in Microsoft Word, from designing the form to distributing it to your target audience.
Why Use Microsoft Word for Survey Creation?
Microsoft Word is a widely used word processing software that offers a variety of features and tools for creating professional-looking documents. While it may not be the first tool that comes to mind when thinking about survey creation, it has several advantages that make it a suitable option for creating surveys.
Familiarity and Accessibility
One of the main advantages of using Microsoft Word for survey creation is its familiarity and accessibility. Most people are familiar with using Word, making it an easy and convenient option for creating surveys. Additionally, Microsoft Word is available on most computers and can be accessed through Microsoft Office 365, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
Customizable Forms
Microsoft Word offers a variety of tools and features that allow you to customize your survey forms. You can choose from a variety of fonts, colors, and styles to make your survey visually appealing. You can also add images, tables, and other elements to your survey to make it more interactive and engaging for your respondents.
Easy Data Collection and Analysis
Once your survey is completed, Microsoft Word makes it easy to collect and analyze the data. You can use the built-in form feature to create fillable forms that can be easily distributed and filled out by your respondents. You can also use the data analysis tools in Microsoft Word to organize and analyze the data collected from your survey.
Designing Your Survey Form
Before you start creating your survey in Microsoft Word, it is essential to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with your survey and the type of questions you want to ask. This will help you design a survey form that is effective and relevant to your target audience.
Determine Your Survey Objectives
The first step in designing your survey form is to determine your survey objectives. What do you want to achieve with your survey? Are you looking to gather feedback on a product or service? Are you conducting market research? Are you creating a survey for a school project? Having a clear understanding of your objectives will help you create relevant and effective survey questions.
Choose the Type of Questions
There are several types of questions you can include in your survey, such as multiple-choice, open-ended, rating scale, and more. Each type of question serves a different purpose, and it is essential to choose the type of questions that will help you achieve your survey objectives. For example, multiple-choice questions are useful for gathering quantitative data, while open-ended questions allow respondents to provide more detailed and qualitative responses.
Keep It Simple and Concise
When designing your survey form, it is important to keep it simple and concise. Avoid using complex language or jargon that may confuse your respondents. Use clear and straightforward language to ensure that your questions are easy to understand. Additionally, keep your survey form as short as possible to avoid overwhelming your respondents and increasing the chances of them abandoning the survey.
Creating Your Survey in Microsoft Word
Now that you have a clear idea of your survey objectives and the type of questions you want to ask, it is time to create your survey form in Microsoft Word. Follow these steps to create a professional-looking survey form in Microsoft Word.
Step 1: Open a New Document
Open Microsoft Word and click on “Blank document” to open a new document.
Step 2: Add a Title and Introduction
The first thing you should add to your survey form is a title and introduction. This will give your respondents an idea of what the survey is about and why it is important. Use a clear and concise title that accurately reflects the purpose of your survey. In the introduction, you can provide more details about the survey and explain why their feedback is valuable.
Step 3: Add Questions
Next, you can start adding your survey questions. To add a question, click on the “Insert” tab and select “Text Box” from the “Text” section. You can then type your question in the text box and format it using the various tools and features available in Microsoft Word.
Step 4: Add Answer Options
After adding your questions, you can add answer options for multiple-choice or rating scale questions. To do this, click on the “Insert” tab and select “Table” from the “Tables” section. You can then choose the number of rows and columns you need for your answer options and type them in the table.
Step 5: Add a Form Field
To make your survey form fillable, you will need to add form fields to your questions. To do this, click on the “Developer” tab and select “Legacy Tools” from the “Controls” section. You can then choose the type of form field you want to add, such as a text field, drop-down list, or check box.
Step 6: Save Your Form as a Template
Once you have completed your survey form, you can save it as a template for future use. To do this, click on “File” and select “Save As.” Choose a location to save your template, and in the “Save as type” drop-down menu, select “Word Template (*.dotx).” You can then give your template a name and click “Save.”
Distributing Your Survey Form
Now that your survey form is ready, it is time to distribute it to your target audience. Microsoft Word offers several options for distributing your survey form, including printing it, sending it via email, or sharing it online.
Printing Your Survey Form
If you want to distribute your survey form in person, you can print it directly from Microsoft Word. Click on “File” and select “Print.” You can then choose the number of copies you want to print and click “Print.”
Sending Your Survey Form via Email
To send your survey form via email, click on “File” and select “Share” from the menu. You can then choose to send the form as an attachment or as a link. If you choose to send it as a link, you can track responses and collect data using Microsoft Forms.
Sharing Your Survey Form Online
If you want to share your survey form online, you can upload it to a file-sharing platform such as Google Drive or Dropbox. You can then share the link to your survey form with your target audience.
Analyzing Your Survey Results
Once you have collected responses from your survey, you can use Microsoft Word’s data analysis tools to organize and analyze the data. To do this, click on the “Review” tab and select “Restrict Editing” from the “Protect” section. You can then choose to allow only certain types of editing, such as filling in forms, and click “Yes, Start Enforcing Protection.” You can then use the “Reviewing Pane” to view and analyze the data collected from your survey.
Conclusion
Creating a survey in Microsoft Word is a simple and effective way to gather feedback and data from your target audience. With its customizable forms, accessibility, and data analysis tools, Microsoft Word offers a convenient and accessible option for survey creation. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can create a professional-looking survey form and distribute it to your target audience with ease.
