Microsoft Forms customers have been requesting the ability to allow uploads from external users since 2017. However, there’s no sign at the moment of this feature being added to Microsoft Form’s development pipeline.
This is why we created file upload software File Request Pro, which natively connects with OneDrive and SharePoint.
Microsoft Forms – File Upload Options
It is annoying that you have a perfectly good form builder like Microsoft Forms and you can’t use it to upload files from people outside the organisation.
You can only add a file upload field to forms shared within your organisation.
Microsoft briefly introduced file requests for SharePoint in 2020 but pulled the feature soon after. OneDrive file requests was launched in 2019 and is good for simple use cases, although you need to enable to correct permissions.
If you want to build file request forms you need to look at options outside Microsoft.
Making Microsoft forms anonymous
You can make Microsoft forms anonymous so the name and email of respondents are not collected. You’ll need a business or education account.
You can’t use Microsoft forms to anonymously collect files from people external to your organisation.
To make a Microsoft form anonymous, go to ‘settings’ and uncheck ‘record name’. Once you’re selected this option, there is no way to link responses to people.
You can also use Microsoft Teams to create forms that are accessible by your team. This is a good option if you don’t want just one person to be responsible for collating responses. Practical 365 explains how you can Use Microsoft Forms in Teams to work together managing anonymous surveys.
Microsoft Forms alternatives
File Request Pro is part form builder, part file upload software and part automation tool. It natively integrates with both Microsoft OneDrive and SharePoint.
We designed it to make it as easy as possible for you to receive and organise files and folders, while streamlining your workflow. No one wants to be chasing people for content, manually organising files, or searching for misplaced ones. With File Request Pro you don’t need to.
File Request Pro is focused solely on file collection, so you don’t have the extra features and higher price point of client interaction hubs like Huddle.
How File Request Pro integrates with Microsoft OneDrive and SharePoint
File Request Pro provides you with an easy and secure way for anyone to send you files, without them needing to login or sign up to yet another service. Simply send them a customised upload page. They drag and drop files or folders onto the page and answer any questions, if you add extra form fields.
Those files and extra content are then sent directly to Microsoft OneDrive or SharePoint folders, organised by any value you choose.
Easily receive large files and folders in OneDrive or SharePoint
File Request Pro is really easy to use. Sign up for a free 14 day trial, select ‘Add new page’ and you’ll see various customisation options, allowing you to change the look, feel and copy of an upload page. Add your company branding, and customise the page so it appeals to your specific clients. These options allow you to build a form that is fully customised rather than just has a ‘theme’.
From your page integrations menu, you can choose to use either OneDrive or Sharepoint integration
File upload software, form builder and automation tool
With File Request Pro you can add a range of form fields, as well as conditional logic, to your upload pages. So as well as requesting files or folders, you can collect any additional content you need.
You can also add page breaks to create multi-page forms, which tend to convert better when you need to gather quite a lot of information and files.
Files and content are sent automatically to a folder of your choice in Microsoft OneDrive or SharePoint using whatever value you choose (read more about dynamic file organisation).
You can also automate an email reminder sequence, as well as file requests and thank you emails.
Keep confidential client files secure
Our at rest and in transit encryption ensures that messaging, data and file transfers are secured to the latest global standards.
All our user data is encrypted at rest using AES 256-bit encryption algorithm. Our service is built on cloud service providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Linode, with robust security mechanisms.
For detailed information about our security best practices read our security commitments.
Interested in using File Request Pro with Microsoft OneDrive or SharePoint?
File Request Pro makes it easy for you to allow uploads from anyone, anywhere, direct to your Microsoft cloud drives. Accept any type of content and files, create as many upload pages as you need, and have multiple admin users so your entire team can be involved. File Request Pro has a 14 day free trial.
Find out more about File Request Pro.