Scheduling the Rush: How to Control Availability and Submissions in Google Forms

Google Forms is a fantastic tool for creating online surveys, quizzes, and applications. But what if you only want responses during a specific timeframe, or need to limit the total number of submissions? Unfortunately, Google Forms doesn’t offer built-in scheduling or submission limits. However, fear not! With the help of a free add-on, you can unlock these functionalities and take control of your form’s availability.

Introducing the Form Notifications Add-on

The key to scheduling form availability and limiting submissions lies in the aptly named “Form Notifications” add-on for Google Forms. While its core function is sending email notifications for form responses, it packs a hidden punch with features for scheduling and setting submission limits.

Installation is a Breeze

1. Head over to the Google Chrome Web Store and search for “Form Notifications.”
2. Click “Add to Chrome” and follow the on-screen prompts to install the add-on.

Taking Command: Scheduling Your Form’s Availability

Now that the add-on is installed, let’s dive into scheduling your form’s availability:

1. Open your Google Form and click the puzzle piece icon (Add-ons menu) in the top right corner.
2. Select “Form Notifications” from the list, then choose “Open App.”
3. Navigate to “Options” and then “Limit Google Form Responses.” This will open the settings panel.
4. Under “Enable Form,” choose the date and time you want your form to become available. Responses submitted before this time will not be accepted.

Setting Boundaries: Limiting Submissions

The same settings panel allows you to limit the total number of submissions your form will accept:

1. Under “Maximum Responses,” enter the desired limit. Once this number is reached, the form will automatically close for further submissions.
2. Craft a custom message (optional) that will be displayed to users who try to submit a response after the limit has been reached.

Customization Options: Fine-Tuning the Experience

The Form Notifications add-on offers additional options to personalize your form’s behavior:

• Recurring Schedule: If your form needs to be available on a recurring basis (e.g., every Monday), you can configure this option.
• Closing Message: Craft a specific message that will be displayed to users when the form closes, be it due to scheduling or reaching the submission limit.

Putting it All Together: A Step-by-Step Example

Let’s imagine you’re creating a registration form for a workshop with limited slots. Here’s how to implement scheduling and submission limits:

1. Schedule Availability: Set the “Enable Form” date and time to coincide with the workshop registration window (e.g., one week before the workshop).
2. Limit Submissions: Enter the total number of workshop slots available (e.g., 20).
3. Closing Message: Craft a clear message informing users that registration has closed once the limit is reached.

Beyond Scheduling and Limits: Exploring the Add-on’s Potential

While scheduling and submission limits are the focus of this blog, the Form Notifications add-on offers additional functionalities:

• Email Notifications: Set up automated email alerts for form submissions, allowing you to receive real-time updates.
• Conditional Notifications: Configure email notifications based on specific responses within the form, enabling targeted communication.

In Conclusion: A Powerful Tool at Your Fingertips

By leveraging the Form Notifications add-on, you can transform Google Forms into a powerful tool with scheduling and submission control. This empowers you to create forms that cater to specific timeframes, manage application volume, and streamline your data collection process. So, the next time you need to control the flow of responses in your Google Forms, remember this guide and unleash the hidden potential within!