Google Forms is a tool that allows users to create surveys and quizzes online. It is a versatile platform that has been widely used for document sharing, conducting market research, and creating custom quizzes. Another advantage of Google Forms is that it supports file uploads, which means you can create a form that allows respondents to submit documents, images, or other types of files. In this blog post, we will be discussing one specific file type, namely, PDF files, and how to add them to a Google Form.
Video Tutorial:
Why You Need to Add PDF File in Google Forms
PDF (Portable Document Format) is a widely used file type that preserves the original formatting of a document, including images and fonts. It is an ideal file type to use when you need to create a digital copy of a document that needs to be shared with others. Adding the capability to include PDF files in Google Forms can be a useful feature when you need to collect documents from others. For example, if you are a teacher and need to collect homework assignments from students, you can ask them to upload their assignments in PDF format, which can then be submitted through Google Forms.
Method 1: Google Drive Integration
Integration with Google Drive is one of the easiest and most straightforward ways to add a PDF file to a Google Form. Here are the steps:
1. Go to your Google Drive account.
2. Upload the PDF file that you want to add to the Google Form.
3. Once the file is uploaded, right-click on the file and select “Get link”.
4. A pop-up window will appear with a link to the file. Copy the link.
5. Open a new tab and go to Google Forms.
6. Create a new form or edit an existing one.
7. Click on the “Add question” button and select “File upload”.
8. In the question text area, enter the text that you want to show beside the file upload button. For example, “Please upload your PDF file here”.
9. In the “Question help text” area, paste the link that you copied in Step 4.
10. Save the form.
Pros:
– Easy integration with Google Drive.
– No need for third-party applications.
– Ability to add multiple PDF files.
Cons:
– Respondents must have access to the uploaded file.
– Limited to files uploaded to your Google Drive account.
Method 2: File Upload Add-on
Another way to add a PDF file to a Google Form is by using a file upload add-on. Although this method requires an additional tool, it offers more flexibility in terms of where files are stored. Here is how to do it:
1. Go to Google Forms and create a new form or edit an existing one.
2. Click on the “Add-ons” button and select “Get add-ons”.
3. In the add-on store, search for “File Upload Forms” and install it.
4. Once installed, a pop-up window will appear with an overview of the add-on. Click the “Continue” button.
5. In the next window, click the “Create a New Form” button.
6. Choose a form template or create a blank form.
7. In the add-on sidebar, select the file type you want to allow for uploads (PDF in this case).
8. Customize the settings, such as setting a file size limit or requiring users to enter their name or email address before uploading a file.
9. Save the form.
10. A new link to the form will be generated. Share the link with others to collect their PDF files.
Pros:
– Works with any file storage system (not limited to Google Drive).
– Offers more flexibility in setting up the file upload process.
– Can require users to provide additional information before uploading files.
Cons:
– Requires an additional add-on installation.
– The free version only allows a limited number of monthly file uploads.
Method 3: Embed PDF in Form
The last method we will be discussing is embedding a PDF file into a Google Form directly. This method requires some technical knowledge and a third-party integration service. Here are the steps:
1. Upload the PDF file to your website or another publicly accessible location.
2. Go to an online PDF viewer, such as DocDroid or Embedly.
3. Upload or enter the URL of the PDF file.
4. Generate an embed code by clicking on the “Embed” button.
5. Copy the generated code.
6. Open a new tab and go to Google Forms.
7. Create or edit a form and add a question (such as “Read the following PDF file and answer the question”).
8. In the question text area, click on the “Insert Image” button.
9. In the “Insert Image” window, click on the “Web address (URL)” tab and paste the embed code that you copied in Step 5.
10. Click “Apply” and then “Save” the form.
Pros:
– Ability to embed multimedia content directly into the form.
– Flexible and offers more options in terms of design and customization.
Cons:
– Requires technical knowledge and a third-party integration service.
– The PDF file must be hosted on a publicly accessible website.
What to Do If You Can’t Add PDF File in Google Forms
If you find that you are unable to add a PDF file to a Google Form using the above methods, here are a few potential fixes:
– Check your internet connection: Poor internet connection can cause issues with Google Forms and file uploads. Try resetting your router or connecting to a different network.
– Clear your browser cache: Clearing your browser cache can remove any temporary files that may be interfering with the form’s functionality.
– Use a different browser: If you are experiencing issues with one browser, try using a different one to see if the issue persists.
Bonus Tip
To prevent people from uploading potentially harmful PDF files, consider adding a virus scan step to the process. You can use an online virus scanner like VirusTotal or Jotti’s malware scan to scan files before they are uploaded to the Google Form.
5 FAQs
Q1: Can I add multiple PDF files to a Google Form?
A: Yes, you can. With the Google Drive integration method, you can add multiple PDF files as long as they are stored in your Google Drive account. And with the file upload add-on, you can customize the form to allow multiple file uploads per respondent.
Q2: Can I edit a Google Form after I’ve uploaded a PDF file?
A: Yes, you can. You can always go back and edit the form as needed, even after respondents have already submitted their PDF files.
Q3: Can I add PDF files to a Google Form on a mobile device?
A: Yes, you can. You can add PDF files to a Google Form on both Android and iOS devices using the Google Forms app.
Q4: Can I restrict the file size of the PDF files uploaded to the Google Form?
A: Yes, you can. With the file upload add-on, you can set a maximum file size limit for each file uploaded to the form. This can help prevent large files from being uploaded and detracting from the user experience.
Q5: Can users download the PDF files they uploaded to the Google Form?
A: Yes, they can. The form creator can download the PDF files directly from the form responses, or they can choose to share the Google Drive folder in which the files are stored with the respondents.
Final Thoughts
Adding PDF files to Google Forms can be a useful feature when you need to collect documents from others. Whether you choose to use the Google Drive integration method, a file upload add-on, or the more technical method of embedding the PDF file in the form directly, you now have three options to consider. Remember to take into account the pros and cons of each method and choose the one that works best for your specific needs.