Branching Forms
Go to specific questions based on answers:
Google Forms allows the ability to create questions that are shown to users based on responses given to other questions using a process called branching.
Branching only works with Multiple Choice and Dropdown Menu questions in Google Forms.
Watch the video for an overview on how to use Google Forms and branching logic to guide the respondent through the options.
Steps for Creating a Branching Form
1️⃣ Set Up & Name Sections
The trick to creating a branching Google Form is to set up sections in the Form. It's recommended that you do this FIRST.
In the floating toolbar the bottom icon of 2 bars creates a section.
Name your sections so that you can clearly identify the sections later when creating the branching questions. Simply click into the Untitled Section text box and type your desired name.
2️⃣ Add Questions (Ctrl+Shift+Enter)
Now it's time to add questions. Go back to the first section and click on it. You can use the + button on the floating toolbar or use the keyboard shortcut, Ctrl+Shift+Enter (Command+Shift+Enter on a Mac).
Google will sometimes even predict answer options that you can apply - what a time ⏲saver!
You must use either Multiple Choice or Dropdown question types in order for your Form to branch.
To ensure users select one of the branched options, set the question as required by clicking the toggle switch in the bottom of the question tile.
3️⃣ Select More Options (Three Dots)
To activate the ability for questions to branch, you will need to select the three dots in the bottom right of the question tile and select the option, Go to section based on answer.
4️⃣ Choose Sections
After selecting Go to section based on answer, a dropdown menu of options will appear next to each muliple choice or answer option.
This allows you to choose which section to branch to if the user selects that particular response - this is why naming sections is most helpful!
✔ TIP: Do not select Continue to next section. Instead, explicitly choose the section. This is just in case the form gets edited in the future and sections get added and/or order changes.
Submit Form is also an option if you want users to immediately complete the form based on an answer.
5️⃣ Specify Each Section
At the bottom of each section is a dropdown that could also navigate respondents to different sections of the form. Each section defaults to Continue to next section.
It's recommended to also be explicit about each of these options. This will be helpful if extra sections are added later.
Branching Form Template
The wonderful Alice Keeler created a Google Sheets spreadsheet template that will help you create a branching Google Forms quiz more quickly.
STEPS:
Start by Making a Copy of this template.
In cell B1 enter in how many questions you want for your branching quiz.
Use the Create quiz menu next to the Help menu.
Authorize the script.
🟣 Click on Advanced
🟣 Click on Unsafe (it’s safe, Alice coded it herself!)
Click on the link created in the spreadsheet to edit the Google Form.
You will need to set the branching in the Form. This just sets up your sections. You will need to tell it that if the student gets question 1 correct to go onto question 2. If they get question 1 incorrect send the student to a section with a little tutorial.