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Can Microsoft Forms Use Repeating Sections for Equipment Inspections?

Nimra Malik Oct 10, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user wants to know if Microsoft Forms includes a repeating section feature so they can answer the same inspection questions for multiple pieces of equipment without duplicating questions manually.

How to Handle Repeating Sections for Equipment Inspections in Microsoft Forms

Product: Microsoft Forms
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Setting up an equipment inspection form where users need to dynamically add multiple equipment items under a single submission.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Forms does not currently support a native, dynamic repeating section control like InfoPath, requiring users to look for workarounds to achieve similar functionality.

Before you start

Before building your form, estimate the maximum number of equipment items a user might need to inspect in a single session, as this will help you choose the best workaround method.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Branching Logic for a Fixed Number of Items

Use this workaround to manually duplicate inspection sections and use branching to ask the user if they have more equipment to inspect.

Since Microsoft Forms lacks a dynamic 'add another' button, you can simulate this by pre-building a set number of equipment sections and using branching to navigate through them.

Duplicate your inspection questions

Create a 'Section' in Microsoft Forms containing all your equipment inspection questions. Copy this entire section manually for the maximum number of times you expect someone to need it (e.g., 5 sections for 5 pieces of equipment).

Add a transition question

At the end of the first section, add a Choice question asking: 'Do you have another piece of equipment to inspect?' with 'Yes' and 'No' as the options.

Set up branching

Click the ellipsis (...) on the question, select 'Add branching'. For the 'Yes' option, set it to jump to your next duplicated equipment section. For the 'No' option, set it to 'End of the form'.

Repeat for all sections

Repeat this branching logic at the end of every duplicated section until you reach the final one, which should only submit the form.

Use Branching Logic for a Fixed Number of Items

Data Export Warning: When you export the results to Excel, the answers for each duplicated section will appear in separate columns, not neatly stacked in rows. You may need to format the spreadsheet manually.

Solution 2

Use Microsoft Power Apps for Dynamic Forms

If you require a truly dynamic repeating section where users can add an unlimited number of items, use Power Apps instead of Forms.

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Looking for a complete Office suite? Try WPS Office

While navigating limitations in Microsoft Forms, you might also need an efficient way to manage your exported inspection data, reports, and manuals. WPS Office provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and free alternative to Microsoft Office.

1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button.
2. Install the software: Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen prompts to set up WPS Office on your device.
3. Open your files: Open your exported inspection spreadsheets or documents directly in WPS Office with full format compatibility.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx), Word (.docx), and PowerPoint formatsEasily consolidate and analyze your exported Forms data using advanced spreadsheet toolsBuilt-in PDF editing tools for standardizing and sharing final inspection reportsFree to download with a familiar interface that requires zero learning curve

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why did InfoPath have repeating sections but Microsoft Forms doesn't?

InfoPath was an enterprise-level form builder designed for complex data entry and XML structures. Microsoft Forms, however, is built to be a lightweight, mobile-friendly tool for quick surveys and quizzes. Microsoft prioritized simplicity over complex structural features like repeating sections.

Can I use Microsoft Lists to collect repeating equipment inspections?

Yes. While Microsoft Lists doesn't natively have 'repeating sections' in a single entry form, you can customize a List form using Power Apps to create a master-detail relationship, which effectively serves the same purpose for multiple equipment inspections.

Will Microsoft add repeating sections to Forms in the future?

As of the latest updates, Microsoft has not announced any plans to bring true repeating sections to Microsoft Forms. Users who need dynamic, repeatable blocks of questions are officially encouraged to migrate to Microsoft Power Apps.

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