Others

How to Add Comments and Rename 'Other' in Microsoft Forms

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to add a comments section to a specific question and rename the default 'Other' option to a custom label in Microsoft Forms.

Product: Microsoft Forms
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Designing a survey or questionnaire where respondents require extra space to elaborate on their answers or provide alternative options.
Observed behavior: Microsoft Forms lacks a direct feature to append a comment box inside an existing question and restricts the renaming of the built-in 'Other' choice.

Before you start

Log in to your Microsoft 365 account and open the specific form you want to modify. Ensure you are in the 'Questions' tab and have edit permissions for the form structure.

Solution 1Recommended

Add a Dedicated Text Question for Comments

Since a comment box cannot be directly embedded within a multiple-choice question, the best approach is to insert a separate long-answer text question immediately after it.

This method ensures respondents have ample space to explain their previous answers. It also keeps your exported data clean by separating standard choices from qualitative text feedback.

Add a new question

Click the '+ Add new' button located directly beneath the question where you want the comments section to appear.

Select the Text format

Choose 'Text' from the list of available question types to create an open-ended field.

Enable Long Answer

Toggle the 'Long Answer' switch at the bottom right of the question box to expand the text box and allow multiple lines of text.

Label the question clearly

Enter a title such as 'Additional Comments' or 'Please elaborate on your previous answer' and ensure the 'Required' toggle is turned off if the comments are optional.

Solution 2

Replace 'Other' with a Custom Text Field and Branching

Because the built-in 'Other' option is locked and cannot be renamed, you must create a standard custom choice and pair it with a text question using branching logic.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless Data Collection and Document Management

If you frequently encounter customization limitations in Microsoft Forms, consider using WPS Office. Alongside its robust document, spreadsheet, and presentation tools, WPS offers seamless form creation tools and perfect compatibility with Microsoft Office formats, allowing you to collect, export, and analyze survey data effortlessly.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free software suite for your operating system.
2. Launch the application: Open WPS Office and sign in to access the full suite of productivity tools, including form builders and spreadsheets.
3. Start collecting data: Create a new form, customize your question labels without restrictions, and instantly export your results to WPS Spreadsheet for analysis.

Create highly customizable forms and surveys with ease.Fully compatible with Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) for smooth data export and analysis.Free, lightweight, and fast installation on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.Familiar user interface makes transitioning from Microsoft Office completely effortless.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I natively rename the 'Other' option in Microsoft Forms?

No, Microsoft Forms does not currently allow users to rename the default 'Other' option. You must bypass this limitation by adding a standard choice and labeling it exactly how you want it to appear.

How can I add extra instructions to a custom choice?

You can add descriptive text by clicking the three dots (More settings) at the bottom right of the question and enabling 'Subtitle'. This provides extra space below the question title to explain how respondents should use your custom options.

Will adding a separate comments question mess up my Excel export?

It won't mess it up, but it will change the structure. The comments will be captured in a distinct column next to the primary multiple-choice responses, which often makes data filtering easier.

Office Quick Solutions