Having trouble creating conditional questions in Google Forms? Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered.
A long, one-size-fits-all form can overwhelm respondents, often leading to abandonment of the survey. That’s why you’ve turned to conditional logic—an approach that sections the forms to make it shorter, simplifies your form while still collecting the necessary data. Not only does this improve the user experience, but it also increases completion rates.
However, in Google Forms, this customization feature isn’t immediately obvious. That’s this guide comes in. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know about setting up conditional questions in Google Forms.
You’ll learn what they are, how to create them, and an alternative method using an online form builder with QR code features. Plus, we’ll share their benefits and best practices to help you create better forms.
What are conditional questions?
Conditional questions, also known as branching questions, are a set of specific queries that appear only in response to a person’s previous answers.
These questions use condition logic and appear only if a specific response is given. Otherwise, they do not appear, which is why these are often referred to as child questions, as they cannot exist without a parent question.
Conditional surveys ensure that the fields a respondent sees are relevant to them. Many online form makers, including those in Google Workspace, allow users to add conditional sections to simplify data collection. Incorporating these questions personalizes the survey experience and saves time by eliminating irrelevant queries.
Companies and organizations use the Google form conditional formatting option to collect targeted and accurate customer data.
Sectors like real estate use conditional sections in their tenant application forms for real estate to collect information on the future tenant.
Can you add conditional questions in Google Forms?
Google Forms lets you set up conditional questions using the “Go to section based on answer” feature. This allows you to create Google Form conditional branching where users are directed to different sections based on their responses, making it useful for creating an information sheet that adapts to user input.
However, it doesn’t offer fully dynamic question logic like some advanced form makers.
It might sound challenging—and honestly, it can be—but if you’re using Google Forms, this is the only way to do it.
Do not worry. You can make this setup much easier with the steps we’ll share. Adding conditional logic ensures users only see relevant questions, helping you create a more structured and efficient form.
How to make conditional questions in Google Forms?
Step 1
Go to the Google Forms dashboard. Create a new blank form and name your form. We will name it “Retail Survey Form” for this guide.
Step 2
A blank form will already have a pre-added section. Use this section to create your base question. Select the “Multiple choice” question type to enable branching logic.
Step 3
Add answer choices to your question. For example: “Did you interact with a store associate during your shopping?” with options “Yes” and “No.”
Step 4
Create two new sections, one for the ‘Yes’ answer option and another for the ‘No’ answer option. We will name them ‘If Yes, then…‘ and ‘If No, then…‘ to keep things clear.
Step 5
To set up the conditions for the options, return to the main question. Click on the three vertical dots to open more options, then select “Go to section based on answer.”
Step 6
Add follow-up or branching questions in the ‘If Yes, then…‘ and ‘If No, then…‘ sections, respectively. These questions should be relevant to the previous answer selection.
Step 7
Make sure each question leads to the right section.
Step 8
Once all are finalized and completed, publish the form.
The downside of using Google Forms
Google Forms allows conditional questions, but it has restrictions. Customization is limited—you can’t create nested conditions or apply advanced logic like scoring. The interface for managing branching is basic, making it hard to visualize or troubleshoot complex workflows.
And since there are limits in customization, setting up conditional logic can feel clunky. This is especially hard for longer or more complex forms since you have to manually set up sections and branching for each question. It can take a lot of time and get confusing, especially with multiple conditions.
Lastly, Google Forms lacks other more features like real-time validation, dynamic question updates, or integrations with third-party tools that could enhance conditional logic.
While Google Forms works well for basic needs, those seeking more customization and control may need to explore other options. One notable and flexible tool is TIGER FORM, a QR form generator.
It stands out with its features for simple form customization and generation of customizable QR codes—all within a single platform. In the next section, we’ll guide you on how to create online forms using a QR form generator.
How to create a simple online form with a form QR code generator
- Sign up for a form creator that allows you to create online forms easily.
- Choose a template or start from scratch to design your form.
- Add the necessary fields to your form and customize its appearance to align with your branding.
- Generate a QR code that links directly to your form.
- Download the QR code in printable format for physical placements or digital format for sharing online.
- Use the builder’s dashboard to monitor performance, track submission rates, and make any necessary improvements.
Benefits of using conditional questions
1. Higher completion rates
Conditional questions often lead to higher completion rates because they’re tailored according to the response. This personalized approach minimizes confusion and survey fatigue.
2. Less to no follow-ups
Surveys with conditional questions often require no or fewer follow-ups. This is because the questions are personalized, reducing the need for clarification or additional outreach.
3. Improved data analysis
As conditional form targets the focused data collection and eliminates the irrelevant questions, data analysis of the final results becomes simple and efficient.
4. Shorter and simple forms
Lengthy surveys or feedback forms can be quite daunting for the respondent. Adding a conditional section to the form ensures that the forms are as short as possible. This makes the forms much more appealing to the respondent.
Best practices for conditional and branching logic
1. Simple and concise
When designing the form, aim for a simple and straightforward approach. Complicated questions often confuse the respondents, leading to survey fatigue. Create a rough outline before finalizing the draft to ensure the structure remains clear and concise.
2. Don’t overdo the sections
Although adding a section is necessary to apply conditional logic, don’t overdo it. It can overwhelm the respondents and increase the survey abandonment rate. Try to combine similar questions to make a cohesive section.
3. No dead ends
Your forms should have a defined path. The transition from one question to another should be seamless so the respondent doesn’t feel stuck. Try adding a “None of the Above option” to ensure inclusivity.
Use conditional questions for a smoother flow
Adding conditional questions in your Forms helps tailor your survey or feedback form to each respondent, making the experience smoother and more engaging. Showing only the necessary questions based on previous answers eliminates clutter and collects more accurate, meaningful data.
This approach improves user experience and makes analyzing responses easier, as you’re gathering only the most relevant information. Whether you’re creating a public event registration form or a customer feedback survey, conditional questions help streamline the process and keep users focused.
And to make your form even more user-friendly, consider using a form QR code. It’s a quick and convenient method that enhances the accessibility of your forms, allowing you to collect data easier.
FAQs
Where are conditional questions usually used?
Conditional questions are typically used in forms, surveys, and applications where there are follow-up questions depending on the user’s previous answers. They help keep forms relevant and concise by showing only the necessary questions, improving user experience and response accuracy.
Are conditional questions better than static questions?
Not necessarily—both have their own purpose.
Conditional questions in Google Forms help get personalized and detailed answers by showing follow-up questions based on what someone selects. They’re great for personal preferences and feedback in an audience feedback form or survey.
Static questions work best for collecting clear and direct answers, like names, emails, phone numbers, or simple ratings.
Do Google Forms support QR codes?
Google Forms does not have a built-in QR code feature, but you can still create a QR-powered form in two ways:
A. Use a QR code form maker to build a form that directly integrates with a QR code.
B. Convert a Google Form link into a QR code using a QR code generator, allowing users to scan and access the form easily.