How to Recover Disappeared Microsoft Forms Responses
Question details
The user needs to recover Microsoft Forms survey responses that appear to have disappeared from the system.
- Product
- Microsoft Forms
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Checking survey or quiz results after participants have submitted their answers.
- Observed behavior
- Survey responses are missing from Microsoft Forms or the linked Excel response workbook.
Ensure you are logged in to the correct Microsoft 365 account and have the appropriate permissions to view files in the associated OneDrive or SharePoint directory.
Check the Associated Excel Workbook in OneDrive or SharePoint
Locate the Excel response workbook that is automatically generated when the form is created via OneDrive or SharePoint Online.
When a form is created directly from OneDrive for Business or SharePoint Online, the survey responses are stored in a live Excel workbook saved within that specific document library. Checking this source file can often reveal responses that are not displaying properly on the web portal.
Log in to your Microsoft 365 account and navigate to the specific OneDrive or SharePoint Online site where the form was initially created.
Open the folder or document library that corresponds to your form's creation path.
Find the Excel file bearing the name of your form and open it to check if the submitted responses are recorded in the worksheet.
Request Support from Microsoft 365 Admin
If responses are missing from both the Forms website and the Excel workbook, the issue must be escalated to Microsoft Support.
Manage Your Survey Data Seamlessly with WPS Office
While recovering lost Microsoft Forms backend data requires Microsoft 365 support, you can seamlessly open, manage, and analyze your recovered Excel response workbooks using WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, free alternative with a highly familiar UI for a seamless migration.
- 1. Download and Install: Get WPS Office for free from the official website and install it on your computer or mobile device.
- 2. Open Response Data: Launch WPS Spreadsheet and open your exported or downloaded Microsoft Forms .xlsx response file.
- 3. Analyze Results: Use built-in pivot tables, formulas, and charts to analyze your survey data effortlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my Microsoft Forms responses not syncing to the Excel workbook?
Syncing issues can occur if the link between the form and the Excel workbook is broken, or if the original file was moved or renamed in OneDrive or SharePoint. You can typically restore syncing by opening the form, going to the Responses tab, and selecting 'Sync all responses to a new workbook'.
Can a deleted Microsoft Form be recovered?
Yes, deleted forms are moved to the 'Deleted forms' tab on the bottom right of the Microsoft Forms portal page. You can restore them from this section within 30 days before they are permanently deleted.
Where does Microsoft Forms store Excel data by default?
If you create a form from the Forms web portal, the Excel data is generated locally upon download. If you create the form directly from OneDrive or SharePoint, a live Excel workbook is saved directly in that specific cloud directory.
