Save time with pre-filled Google Forms

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Save time with pre-filled Google Forms

Have you ever sent a Google Form to someone and asked them to enter information you already know? Maybe the event name, location, presenter name, or an identification number? 

You can save people time, and reduce typing errors, by creating a pre-filled Google Form link. A pre-filled form is a regular Google Form with one or more answers already entered. When someone opens the link, those answers are filled in, and they can complete the remaining questions quickly and submit the form.

For example, imagine you're collecting feedback after an Extension workshop. You could send participants a link with the basic information already filled in. They only need to answer the feedback questions.

Reasons to use pre-filled forms
  • Saves time: People don't have to enter information you already have.
  • Improves accuracy: Reduce misspellings, inconsistent responses, etc.
  • Make forms easier to complete: Let people enter the information you actually need from them.
  • Personalize the experience: Create links with different information for different people, programs, or events.

How to create a pre-filled Google Form link

  1. Create your Google Form.
  2. click the kebab (More) menu in the top-right corner next to your profile picture.
  3. Select Pre-fill form.

  4. A new tab will open displaying your form. Type or select the answers you want automatically filled in for respondents (leave the fields blank that you want them to answer).
  5. Scroll down and click Get link at the bottom of the page.
  6. Click Copy Link from the pop-up banner at the bottom left.

Things to note

  • Pre-filled answers can be changed. Your pre-filled answers serve as convenient defaults. Respondents can still edit those fields if they need to change something before submitting.
  • Test before sharing. I recommend pasting the link into an incognito window to test the form before sharing it with respondents. Confirm that the pre-filled fields and remaining questions work as expected. 
Article by Karen Matthes, Extension Learning Technologies, klm@umn.edu

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