Permission & Access Issues

How to Allow Anonymous Responses in SharePoint List Forms

Maira Mehtab Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users need a way to collect anonymous data or feedback through a form on a SharePoint site.

Product: SharePoint Online
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to configure a form on a SharePoint site to accept submissions from users without requiring them to log in.
Observed behavior: Native SharePoint Online list forms do not include the 'Anyone can respond' option, preventing anonymous submissions directly into the list.

Before you start

Ensure you have the necessary site permissions to edit pages on your SharePoint site and access to Microsoft Forms to create a new survey.

Solution 1Recommended

Use a Microsoft Forms Web Part for Anonymous Responses

Since SharePoint list forms do not natively support anonymous submissions, embedding a Microsoft Form configured for anonymous access is the recommended workaround.

By creating a form in Microsoft Forms and setting its permissions to public, you can embed it directly onto a SharePoint page. This provides a seamless experience for visitors while bypassing the SharePoint list authentication limitations.

Create the Microsoft Form

Go to the Microsoft Forms portal, create a new form or survey, click on 'Settings' (the gear icon or ellipsis menu), and select the 'Anyone can respond' option under the 'Who can fill out this form' section.

Edit the SharePoint Page

Navigate to the target SharePoint Online site, open the page where you want the form to appear, and click the 'Edit' button in the top right corner.

Add the Web Part

Hover your mouse above or below an existing web part to reveal the '+' icon. Click it, search for 'Microsoft Forms', and select the web part to add it to your page.

Configure the Web Part

Click 'Add existing form' within the newly added web part. Paste the sharing URL of the Microsoft Form you previously created, and choose 'Collect responses'.

Publish the Page

Click 'Republish' or 'Publish' at the top right of the SharePoint page to make the anonymous form live for your users.

Feature Suggestions: If you strongly prefer native anonymous support for SharePoint list forms, you can submit this feature suggestion through the official SharePoint feedback portal.

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While managing SharePoint permissions and site configurations requires a Microsoft ecosystem, for your everyday document editing, spreadsheet management, and data collection needs, WPS Office offers a completely free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative.

1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS Office website to download the free suite and install it on your Windows, Mac, or mobile device.
2. Create and Edit Files: Open your existing Office files directly in WPS Office without worrying about layout changes or formatting issues.
3. Utilize WPS Forms: Access WPS Forms from the toolkit to build custom surveys, collect anonymous responses, and automatically organize the data into spreadsheets.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make a native SharePoint list form anonymous?

No, SharePoint Online list forms do not support anonymous responses. The 'Anyone can respond' setting is unavailable for native list forms, which always require user authentication.

How do I ensure my Microsoft Form collects responses anonymously?

When creating your Microsoft Form, go to Settings and check 'Anyone can respond'. Ensure that you do not manually add questions asking for personal identifying information like names or emails.

Where does the data go when using the Microsoft Forms web part on SharePoint?

The responses are stored in Microsoft Forms, not directly in a SharePoint list. You can view the results in the Microsoft Forms portal or export them directly to an Excel spreadsheet for further analysis.

Document & File Issues