How to Add an "Other, Please Specify" Text Option in Microsoft Forms
Question details
The user wants to allow respondents to input custom text when selecting an "Other" option in a Microsoft Forms Likert or Choice question.
- Product
- Microsoft Forms
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Creating a survey or questionnaire where predefined Likert options are insufficient, requiring respondents to specify their own custom answer.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft Forms does not natively support a direct text entry field embedded alongside selectable options within a Likert scale or Choice question.
Decide whether you need this custom text field for all respondents or only those who select a specific option, as this determines how you will set up your branching logic.
Create a Separate Text Question with Branching Logic
Since Microsoft Forms lacks an inline text field for Likert options, creating a subsequent text question and linking it via branching is the most effective workaround.
By utilizing the built-in branching feature in Microsoft Forms, you can direct users to a hidden text question only when they select the "Other" option from your primary Likert or Choice question.
Add your main Choice or Likert question to the form and include "Other" as one of the selectable options or statements.
Click "Add new" and select "Text" to create a new question directly beneath it. Title this question "Other, please specify".
Click the three dots (More settings for question) in the top-right corner of your primary question and select "Add branching" from the dropdown menu.
Next to the "Other" option in your primary question, click the dropdown menu and select the "Other, please specify" text question. For all other options, set them to proceed to the next relevant question in your survey.
Use Dynamics 365 Customer Voice for Advanced Surveys
If your organization requires complex conditional logic and inline text options, upgrading to Dynamics 365 Customer Voice is the official enterprise solution.
Analyze Form Results Effectively with WPS Office
While Microsoft Forms handles your survey collection, processing and analyzing the exported data requires powerful spreadsheet software. WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and fully compatible alternative to Microsoft Office for managing all your survey datasets.
- 1. Export Survey Data: In Microsoft Forms, go to the Responses tab and click 'Open in Excel' to download your survey results.
- 2. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website, download, and install WPS Office for free.
- 3. Analyze Results: Open your downloaded .xlsx file using WPS Spreadsheet to filter, analyze, and visualize your survey data with ease.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add a text box directly to a Likert scale in Microsoft Forms?
No, Microsoft Forms does not natively support adding a direct text entry box inside a Likert scale question. You must use a separate text question combined with branching logic as a workaround.
How do I make the "Other, please specify" question optional?
When creating the follow-up text question, ensure the "Required" toggle switch at the bottom of the question card is turned off. This prevents respondents from being forced to enter text if they changed their mind.
Will Microsoft add an inline "Other" text option in the future?
Microsoft frequently updates Forms based on user feedback. You can vote for the "Other, Please Specify" feature request on the official Microsoft Feedback portal to encourage its development.
