How to Keep a Microsoft Forms QR Code When Changing Ownership
Question details
The user needs to ensure that previously printed Microsoft Forms QR codes remain functional after transferring the form's ownership due to an employee's departure.
- Product
- Microsoft Forms
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- An employee is leaving the organization, and their created Microsoft Forms have printed QR codes deployed.
- Observed behavior
- The company wants the existing printed QR codes to remain active without the need for reprinting them after form ownership changes.
Ensure you have the necessary administrator or owner permissions for the Microsoft Form before attempting to transfer its ownership to a group.
Move the Form to a Microsoft 365 Group
Transferring the form to a group prevents it from being deleted when the original creator's account is deactivated, while keeping the original QR code link intact.
By moving a form to a Microsoft 365 Group, the group becomes the new owner. This ensures that the form's URL and its associated QR code remain completely unchanged, meaning you do not need to reprint or redistribute any existing materials.
Navigate to the Microsoft Forms portal and log in using the current owner's account or an administrative account.
Scroll through 'My forms' or click on 'All My Forms' to find the specific form you need to transfer.
Hover over the form's tile and click on the 'More options' icon represented by three dots in the bottom right corner.
From the dropdown menu, select 'Move to a group'.
Choose the appropriate Microsoft 365 group to take over ownership and confirm your action. The QR code will continue to work seamlessly.

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Frequently Asked Questions
Will the form link change after moving it to a group?
No, the original link and the corresponding QR code will remain exactly the same and will continue to work seamlessly for all respondents.
What happens if the creator's account is deleted before transferring the form?
If the account is deleted, the form and its collected data are typically deleted as well. Administrators have a limited retention window (usually 30 days) during which they can recover the account to transfer the form.
Can I transfer ownership to another individual user instead of a group?
Currently, Microsoft Forms only allows transferring form ownership to a Microsoft 365 Group. You cannot directly transfer a form to another individual user's account.
Do I need to update the sharing settings after moving the form?
No, the general sharing settings carry over automatically. However, it is good practice to double-check the permissions to ensure your target audience can still submit responses without issues.




