How to Duplicate a Google Form (Whole Form or Just Parts)

Once you've built a form that works, such as a client onboarding questionnaire, an event sign-up or a feedback survey, you'll want to reuse it rather than starting again. Duplicating a Google Form takes seconds and gives you a clean copy to tweak. Here's how to copy a whole form, how to duplicate individual questions and sections, and what does and doesn't come across.

Copy a whole Google Form

1. Open the form in Google Forms.
2. In the top-right corner, click the three-dot More menu.
3. Choose Make a copy.
4. Type a name for the copy.
5. Optional: click the folder to choose where it's saved in Google Drive.
6. Optional: tick Share it with the same people to give the same collaborators access.
7. Click OK.

Google's own examples are good use cases: making two versions of a quiz that differ slightly, or tailoring a survey for different audiences by copying one and adjusting it.

What the copy includes

Comes with the copy	Doesn't come with the copy
All questions and answer options	Responses already collected
Sections and their order	The link to your old response spreadsheet
Theme, images and settings	The original form's link
Collaborators, if you tick the box	Collaborators, if you don't

Because responses don't come across, the copy is a fresh start. That's exactly what you want for a new event or a new client, and it keeps each set of answers separate.

Duplicate one question or section

Sometimes you only need to repeat part of a form. Google offers two quick tools inside the editor:

• Question or image: click it and choose Duplicate.
• Section: click the section header, then More, then Duplicate section.

Duplicating a section is brilliant for repeated blocks, like asking the same questions about each attendee or each product.

Pull questions in from another form

Rather than copying a whole form, you can import specific questions from a different one. In the editor, choose Import questions, pick the form, tick the questions you want and click Import questions. Google keeps it simple, and it's perfect for building a new form from your best questions across several old ones.

Copy, import or start fresh?

Situation	Best option
Same form for a new event or client	Make a copy
A few good questions from an old form	Import questions
Repeated block within one form	Duplicate section
Completely different purpose	Start a new form

After you copy: the checklist

1. Rename it clearly, such as with the event or client name and date.
2. Update any dates, names or details in the questions.
3. Check where responses will be saved and link a new spreadsheet if you use one.
4. Review the confirmation message so it fits the new purpose.
5. Preview it, then publish and share the new link, not the old one.

That last step catches people out. The copy has its own link, so if you send the old link by mistake, responses go to the old form.

Keep a master template

If you copy the same form regularly, keep a master version that you never send to anyone. Call it something like TEMPLATE Client onboarding. Copy it each time and edit the copy. You'll never accidentally overwrite your best version, and new forms take minutes. Remember Google's limits apply to copies too: up to 300 pieces of content and 75 sections per form.

Naming copies so you can find them

After a few months of copying, your Drive can fill with forms called Copy of Client onboarding. A simple naming habit fixes it: start with the purpose, add the client or event, then the month or year written in words or as you prefer. Keep all the copies in one Forms folder in Drive, with the master template at the top. You'll find any form in seconds, and so will anyone you share the folder with.

Should respondents be able to edit answers?

When you copy a form, its settings come along too, including whether people can edit their responses after submitting. Google's tips page suggests letting people edit responses so they can update details for accuracy. Check that setting on each copy; it suits an event sign-up, but not a quiz where answers should be final.

Copying a form someone else made

If you're a collaborator on a form, you can usually make a copy, and the copy is yours. If you only have a responder link, you can't copy it; ask the owner to share it with you or send you a copy. When you copy a colleague's form, check you're happy to own it, because the responses will land with you.

If you're collecting responses for a giveaway, my guide to running a raffle online works well with a fresh copy for each draw, and my guide to seeing responses helps you read the results.

My verdict

Open the form, click More, choose Make a copy, name it and click OK, ticking Share it with the same people if your collaborators need it. The copy brings questions and settings but no responses. For part of a form, use Duplicate or Import questions, and keep a master template you never send.

Frequently asked questions

How do I make a copy of a Google Form?

Open the form, click the three-dot More menu at the top right, choose Make a copy, name it and click OK.

Does copying a Google Form copy the responses?

No. The copy has the questions and settings but starts with no responses.

How do I duplicate a question in Google Forms?

Click the question and choose Duplicate.

Can I copy questions from one Google Form to another?

Yes. Use Import questions, pick the form and tick the questions you want.

Will collaborators have access to my copied form?

Only if you tick Share it with the same people when making the copy.