How to Recommend an Option Based on Answers in Microsoft Forms
Question details
The user wants to configure a Microsoft Forms questionnaire to evaluate respondent answers and automatically display a specific recommendation at the end of the form.
- Product
- Microsoft Forms
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Creating an intelligent survey or questionnaire that provides tailored recommendations based on the choices selected by the respondent.
- Observed behavior
- While Microsoft Forms can collect data and route users via branching, setting up complex scoring or displaying conditional final recommendations requires specific logic configuration or external automation.
Before building your form, map out your decision tree or logic flow on paper so you know exactly which combination of answers should lead to which recommendation.
Use Built-in Branching Logic in Microsoft Forms
Utilize the native branching feature to direct respondents to specific sections or custom 'End of form' messages based on their multiple-choice selections.
Microsoft Forms includes a branching feature that allows you to change the path of a survey based on specific responses. By creating separate sections for each possible recommendation, you can route users to the appropriate conclusion.
Open your form in Microsoft Forms. After adding your main questions, click 'Add new' > 'Section'. Create a distinct section for each recommendation (e.g., one section describing Microsoft Teams, another for an alternative tool).
Click on the multiple-choice question that determines the recommendation. Click the three dots (More settings) in the bottom right corner of the question block and select 'Add branching'.
In the branching options menu, use the drop-down menus next to each answer choice to select which specific recommendation section the respondent should jump to if they choose that answer.
Navigate to your recommendation sections. At the bottom of each section, ensure the branching is set to 'End of the form' so respondents do not accidentally see multiple recommendations.
Automate Complex Recommendations with Power Automate
For scenarios requiring complex scoring or sending personalized recommendations via email after the form is submitted, integrate Microsoft Forms with Power Automate.
Need to Analyze Form Data? Try WPS Office
Once you have collected responses from your questionnaires, analyzing that data effectively is crucial. WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and powerful alternative to Microsoft Office, offering an intuitive Spreadsheet application to filter, chart, and summarize your exported form results.
- 1. Export your form data: In Microsoft Forms, navigate to the 'Responses' tab and click 'Open in Excel' to download your response data as a spreadsheet.
- 2. Open with WPS Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office and open the downloaded .xlsx file to view your collected responses.
- 3. Analyze and visualize: Use built-in PivotTables, charts, and filtering tools in WPS Spreadsheet to identify trends and improve your future recommendation criteria.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Microsoft Forms automatically calculate a score and show a custom message?
You can use the 'Quiz' feature in Microsoft Forms to assign points to different answers and show an overall score upon completion. However, displaying a custom text recommendation based on score ranges requires configuring a flow in Power Automate.
What is branching in Microsoft Forms?
Branching is a built-in logic feature that allows you to change the sequence of questions based on how a respondent answers a specific question. It can skip irrelevant questions, jump to specific sections, or direct the user to the end of the form.
Is it possible to show different customized thank-you messages based on answers?
Native Microsoft Forms only allows one standard 'Thank you' message for the entire form. To provide a customized closing message or recommendation, you must route users to specific text-based 'Sections' before they hit submit using branching logic.
Do I need a paid license to use Power Automate with Microsoft Forms?
Basic integration between Microsoft Forms and Power Automate is included with most standard Microsoft 365 business and education accounts. However, utilizing premium connectors or highly complex automation flows may require a standalone Power Automate license.
