Copying Google Forms makes a giant mess of your Google Drive! Do not copy Google Forms, instead refresh your Forms!! Using Google Workspace is a different mindset towards reusing documents. Consider taking advantage of version history in documents and just keep reusing the same forms and documents year after year!
Install Fresh Form Tab
I have a FREE Add-on to make the process of reusing Google Forms Faster. See below for more information.
Your Google Drive is a Hot Mess
One of the most common questions I get is how to clean up Google Drive. I’m pre-Google Drive old. The old thinking of how we manage Microsoft files is just not the same when your files all live in the cloud.
To avoid making your Drive a mess in the first place, not making copies is an important first step.
I Used the Same Syllabus for 7 Years
Google Forms does NOT have version history. I will get into this in a minute. For Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides you can manually name versions. I highly recommend this. For 7 years I would each semester go to the File menu on my Google Doc syllabus and name the version for the last semester. I then make edits to the same file, not a copy, to use for the upcoming class. This keeps my Drive a lot cleaner. I don’t have multiple files with the same or similar name. If I need an old syllabus (it’s come up) I can go to the version history and revert back to the old version temporarily or if I need the old version in digital form there is an option to make a copy of an older version.
Get in the habit of manually naming your VERSIONS!
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Anytime you make a set of edits, get in the habit of going to the File menu in Docs, Sheets, and Slides and choosing “Name current version.”
Now that you’re in the habit of taking advantage of version history try like heck to “never” make any copies!!
Google Forms Does Not Have a Version History
Google Forms does not have a version history (come on Google! Get with it!) Thus, you want to be careful with sharing edit access with others. My friend Martin Hawksey created an Add-on to allow you to create a snapshot of the versions.
Do Not Copy Google Forms
Multiple Google Forms with the same questions is a big contributor to your Google Drive being a hot mess. You lose your data when you’re not sure which copy has the results.
Instead, Reuse Your Google Forms
The cool thing about Google Forms is it connects to Google Sheets. The data in Google Sheets is a COPY of the data in Google Forms.
If you delete the responses from the Google Form you do NOT lose your responses in the spreadsheet.
Connect Google Sheets
In the edit version of your Google Forms go to the Responses tab. If you don’t have a spreadsheet already connected, click on the Sheets icon. This saves all of your responses so you won’t lose them!
3 Dots - Delete Responses
On the Responses tab, click on the 3 dots to select “Delete all responses.” Now your Form is ready to reuse!! You can make edits to the questions or add new questions or delete questions if you want, but please do remember there is not a built in version history.
Just keep reusing the same Google Forms!
Add-on Fresh Form Tab Does this Faster
My free Add-on Fresh Form Tab does NOT collect user data. This Add-on will disconnect the connected Google Sheets spreadsheet to save your previous responses. Deletes the responses from the Google Form. Reconnects back to the same Google Sheets to send the new responses to a new tab in the spreadsheet.
Add-ons Are in the Puzzle Piece
To locate Fresh Form Tab, after installing, use the puzzle piece icon at the top of Google Forms.
Select Refresh Form
The first option “Create a Fresh Tab” gives you a chance to change your mind. The pop up reminds you that you want to have a linked spreadsheet to preserve your current responses.
The “Refresh Form” option resets your Form faster. It deletes the responses out of the Form and connects to the Google Sheets spreadsheet with a new tab.
