How to make Grid Questions in Google Forms

Google Forms grid question type is excellent for Matching/Selection//Ranking type questions. In this article, we will show you how to use the two kinds of grid questions (Multiple choice and Checkbox) and provide a Form with examples you can start using today.  

To start, add a question to a google form using the plus button and then change the question type to Multiple choice grid.

The question screen shows Rows (Options/Answer) and Columns (Topic/Question) that can be added in any amount.  The example below shows a three-row by four-column grid question.

My favorite use of the Grid question type is for matching questions. You can use these at all levels, and it is an easy way to convert traditional worksheets into a digital version.

You can also enable the quiz setting and select answers so students can receive feedback after they submit their responses or have their score automatically added to Google Classroom. I recommend placing the answers/options in the rows and identifiers (Letters or Numbers) in the columns. This helps phone users scroll down rather than use the less convenient slider at the bottom of the question to select a choice. Below is a matching question converted to a grid multiple choice question. The link to this example Form is here.

The options I choose for most grid matching questions are require one response per row and limit to one response per column, as shown below.

I also use the grid question type for selection type questions. The link to a Form with these questions is here. The next example uses a Multiple choice grid question and asks respondents to select an available time slot or indicate they are not available. The Multichoice grid only allows one response per row, and I also require a response in each row.

In the preview mode this question looks like the following:

The format can be changed so TOPIC/QUESTIONS are on the TOP/COLUMN, and OPTIONS/ANSWERS are in the SIDE/ROW.  This is the option I use since it requires less scrolling on smaller screens.  In the example below, I limit responses to one response per column using the three dots ( ⠇) menu but allow multiple responses per row.  Anytime you are allowing multiple responses per ROW, you need to use a Checkbox grid.

And the preview for this question looks like the following.

The last version of this question is a checkbox grid with no restriction on the number of responses in ROWS or COLUMNS.

The last use we show in this article is RANKING questions using the grid question type.  A form with the ranking question is here.  Below the students select their favorite kind of ice cream on a 1 to 5 scale.  

And the preview for this question.

When choosing between the MC or Checkbox grid type, this table may help.  The quick answer is to use the MC if you want only one response per row and Checkbox to allow multiple responses per row.

*Option shown at bottom of question:

Our goal at Sharingtree is to help you share and collaborate with educators from around the world.  If you have a matching, selection or ranking example, use our “Add a collab” feature to share it today.

Use this link for MATCHING forms

Use this link for SELECTION forms

Use this link for RANKING forms

Then just click on “Collabs” or “Add a Collab” to share your version.

We hope you found this article useful and reach out to us with any questions using contact@sharingtree.net