How to Make a Copy of a Google Form Without Permission Easily and Quickly

Google Forms is a powerful tool for creating surveys and collecting data. Many users find themselves wanting to make copies of forms they encounter, but this isn’t always straightforward without edit permissions.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to directly duplicate a Google Form without having editing rights. Google restricts the ability to copy forms to protect creators’ intellectual property and maintain control over their content. This limitation applies even to publicly accessible forms.

While direct copying may not be feasible, there are alternative approaches for those seeking to recreate a form’s structure or content. Users can manually recreate the questions and layout in a new form, or use specialized tools designed to assist with form creation. Formifyr, for example, offers features that can help streamline the process of building forms from scratch.

Understanding Google Forms and Permissions

Google Forms provides powerful collaboration features, but access is controlled through permissions. Users can share forms and add collaborators, though options may be limited without proper authorization.

Basics of Google Forms

Google Forms allows users to create surveys, quizzes, and other data collection tools. Forms can be customized with various question types, themes, and logic. Results are automatically collected in a spreadsheet for easy analysis.

Users can access Google Forms through their Google account. The interface is intuitive, with drag-and-drop functionality for adding and arranging questions.

Forms can be shared publicly or kept private. Public forms are accessible to anyone with the link, while private forms require specific permissions to view or edit.

The Role of Permissions in Google Forms

Permissions in Google Forms determine who can view, edit, or respond to a form. The form owner has full control and can adjust settings as needed.

There are three main permission levels:

• Owner: Full control over the form
• Editor: Can modify questions and settings
• Viewer: Can only view and submit responses

To add collaborators, the owner can click “Share” and enter email addresses. They can then assign appropriate permission levels to each collaborator.

Editing permissions can be restricted to prevent unauthorized changes. This is crucial for maintaining form integrity, especially for important surveys or assessments.

Alternatives to Copying Without Permission

While directly copying a form without permission is not possible, there are ethical alternatives. Users can create similar forms from scratch, drawing inspiration from existing designs.

Templates offer a starting point for various form types. Google Forms provides a template gallery with options for event RSVPs, contact information collection, and more.

Third-party tools like Formifyr can assist in form creation, offering additional features and customization options. These tools often provide templates and design elements to streamline the process.

For collaborative projects, users can request access from form owners. Clear communication about intended use can help secure necessary permissions.

Creating a Copy of Google Forms

Duplicating a Google Form allows you to reuse existing templates and questions while preserving the original. This process saves time and effort when creating similar forms for different purposes.

Steps to Duplicate a Form

To make a copy of a Google Form, start by opening the original form in your Google Drive. Right-click on the form and select “Make a copy” from the menu. Google will create a duplicate titled “Copy of [original form name].”

Alternatively, open the form and click the three-dot menu in the top right corner. Choose “Make a copy” from the dropdown options. Select the destination folder for your new copy and rename it if desired.

For users without direct access to the original form, request a copy from the form owner or use the form’s URL to create a new version.

Customizing Your Google Forms Copy

After duplicating, open the new copy to begin customization. Edit the title, description, and questions as needed. Add or remove sections, change question types, and modify response options.

Update the form’s design by selecting a new theme or customizing colors and fonts. Adjust settings like response collection, quiz mode, or confirmation messages.

Consider using form add-ons or extensions to enhance functionality. Formifyr, for example, offers additional features for form creation and management.

Managing Sharing and Collaborator Settings

Review and update sharing settings for your copied form. Click the “Send” button to adjust who can view or edit the form. Choose between sharing via email, link, or embedding.

For collaboration, add editors by entering their email addresses in the sharing menu. Set appropriate permissions for each collaborator, such as edit or view-only access.

Consider moving the copied form to a shared folder for easier team access. Remember to update any linked spreadsheets or responses destinations to maintain data separation from the original form.