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How to Allow Multiple Selections in Microsoft Forms Matrix Questions

Phi Hung Vo Sep 30, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to create a matrix or Likert-style question in Microsoft Forms that allows survey respondents to select multiple options in a single row.

Can Microsoft Forms Matrix Questions Allow Multiple Selections?

Product: Microsoft Forms
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Designing a comprehensive survey or feedback form where grid questions require multiple answers per category.
Observed behavior: The built-in Likert question type strictly restricts respondents to only one answer selection per row.

Before you start

Before modifying your survey, determine how many multi-select options you need to capture and whether breaking the matrix into individual questions will work for your respondents. You will need edit access to your Microsoft Form to apply these changes.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Choice Questions with Multiple Answers Enabled

Since native Likert questions do not support multiple answers per row, replacing the matrix with standard Choice questions is the most effective workaround.

Microsoft Forms currently lacks an out-of-the-box option for multi-select matrix grids. By converting each row of your intended matrix into an individual Choice question, you can easily gather the exact same data without restricting user selections.

Open your Microsoft Form

Navigate to Microsoft Forms in your browser, log in to your account, and open the survey you are currently editing.

Add a new Choice question

Click the '+ Add new' button and select the 'Choice' question type from the available options.

Enable Multiple Answers

Look at the bottom right corner of the question configuration box and toggle the 'Multiple answers' switch to the 'On' position.

Group your questions

Repeat this process for each row of your intended matrix. You can use the '+ Add new' > 'Section' feature to group these related questions together on a single survey page.

Use Choice Questions with Multiple Answers Enabled

Data Consistency: While this changes the visual layout from a compact grid to a vertical list, it successfully allows users to check multiple boxes and keeps your exported survey data highly organized.

Solution 2

Submit a Feature Request to Microsoft

Request the addition of multi-select capabilities for Likert questions directly through the Microsoft feedback channel.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use branching logic with multiple-answer choice questions in MS Forms?

Yes, you can apply branching logic to choice questions even if multiple answers are enabled. Click the three dots (More settings) on the question and select 'Add branching' to direct users to different sections based on their specific selections.

Is there any third-party add-in for MS Forms to create multi-select matrices?

No. Microsoft Forms does not currently support third-party add-ins, extensions, or custom HTML/CSS code. You must rely on the built-in question types like Choice or Likert.

How do the exported Excel results differ when using Choice questions instead of a Likert scale?

A Likert scale exports with each row as a separate column in Excel, containing a single value. Multiple-answer Choice questions export as a single column per question, with all selected answers combined and separated by semicolons.

Can I limit the number of options a respondent can choose in a Choice question?

Yes. When you enable 'Multiple answers' on a Choice question, click the three dots (More settings) and select 'Subtitle'. You will then see an option to set 'Select total options' where you can specify exact, minimum, or maximum limits.

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