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Can Microsoft Forms Track Sent Invitations and Non-respondents?

Ayan Masood Oct 13, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to know if Microsoft Forms can track who has received a survey invitation and identify those who have not yet responded.

Can Microsoft Forms Track Sent Invitations and Nonrespondents?

Product: Microsoft Forms
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Distributing a survey and monitoring recipient engagement to send follow-ups.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Forms records respondents only when answers are submitted, but it lacks built-in functionality to track every shared survey link or flag individuals who received the invitation without responding.

Before you start

Before distributing your survey, prepare a predetermined list of your intended recipients in a spreadsheet or email contact list to easily cross-reference received responses later.

Solution 1Recommended

Track Invitations Externally Using a Spreadsheet

Since Microsoft Forms does not have a built-in feature to track non-respondents, the most effective workaround is to manage your invitees manually using an external spreadsheet or distribution list.

This method involves manually comparing the list of people who have submitted responses in Microsoft Forms against your original list of intended recipients.

Create a recipient list

Open a spreadsheet program (like Microsoft Excel or WPS Spreadsheet) and create a list of all intended survey recipients with columns for 'Name', 'Email', and 'Responded (Yes/No)'.

Distribute the survey link

Copy the sharing link from Microsoft Forms and send it to the recipients on your list via email or your organization's communication tool.

Monitor incoming responses

Periodically open your Microsoft Forms dashboard, go to the 'Responses' tab, and click 'View results' to see who has completed the survey.

Update your tracking sheet

Mark the respondents as 'Yes' in your spreadsheet. Any remaining 'No' entries are your non-respondents, who can then be targeted for follow-up reminders.

Track Invitations Externally Using a Spreadsheet

Anonymous Responses: If your form is set to collect responses anonymously, you will not be able to cross-reference names with your spreadsheet. Ensure 'Record name' is enabled in your form settings if you need to track specific individuals.

Solution 2

Submit a Feature Request to Microsoft

If you require built-in tracking for shared links and non-respondents, you can submit direct feedback to Microsoft to request this functionality in future updates.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Manage Your Survey Tracking Lists Seamlessly with WPS Office

While Microsoft Forms lacks built-in non-respondent tracking, you can easily monitor your survey distributions using a spreadsheet. WPS Office provides a completely free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office for creating and managing these tracking lists.

1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free suite for your device.
2. Create a Tracking Sheet: Open WPS Spreadsheet and start a new blank workbook to list your survey recipients.
3. Track and Filter: Use the built-in filtering tools in WPS Spreadsheet to easily sort out non-respondents and send targeted follow-up emails.

Track survey recipients and non-respondents easily with WPS Spreadsheet.Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) formats for easy data transfer.Free and lightweight alternative to Microsoft Office.Familiar user interface with minimal learning curve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see exactly who has already responded to my Microsoft Form?

Yes, if you select 'Record name' in your form's settings, you can view the names of people within your organization who have submitted responses by checking the 'Responses' tab and clicking 'View results'.

Does Microsoft Forms send automatic email reminders to non-respondents?

No, Microsoft Forms does not currently feature built-in automatic email reminders for individuals who have not yet completed a survey. You must follow up manually.

How can I restrict my Microsoft Form to specific people?

When sharing your form, select the 'Specific people in my organization can respond' option in the settings. This requires users to log in, allowing you to securely restrict access and record their identities.

Is there an add-in to track Microsoft Forms invitations?

There are no native add-ins for Microsoft Forms specifically for tracking invitations. Advanced tracking usually requires integrating the form with Microsoft Power Automate to log responses directly into an Excel sheet or SharePoint list.

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