How to Add Linear Scale to Google Forms (5 Steps)

Last Updated: Fri Jun 21 2024

In just 5 steps, this guide will show you how to add a linear scale question in Google Forms.

Linear scale questions are used to go beyond simple yes/no answers, capturing the shades of opinion among your respondents.

Follow these detailed steps and you’ll end up with a nice & simple Google Form with linear scale questions.

Steps:

Go to Google Forms
Give Your Form a Title
Add a Linear Scale Question
Configure Your Linear Scale Question
Preview Your Form

Step 1: Go to Google Forms

Open Google Forms. Select a template to modify or click on the ‘+’ icon to start a new form.

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Step 2: Give Your Form a Title

Once your new form opens, give it a title that reflects the content or purpose of your survey. Click on the “Untitled form” in the top left corner to add a title.

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Step 3: Add a Linear Scale Question

To add a linear scale question in Google Forms, first, click on the "+" button on the right to add a new question.

Click on the dropdown arrow next to the question type.

Select “Linear scale” from the dropdown menu. And that’s it!

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Step 4: Configure Your Linear Scale Question

Now, it’s time to customize your linear scale question. This part is very important.

Type in your question in the “Untitled Question” field.

Set the scale range, which can be from 1 to 5, 1 to 7, or any other range up to 10. This will depend on the granularity of feedback you’re seeking.

Rank the scale. Though optional, adding labels for the lowest and highest values can provide clearer guidance for respondents. For instance, 1 could be “Not at all satisfied” and 5 “Extremely satisfied”.

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Step 5: Preview Your Form

Click on the eye icon in the upper right corner to preview your form. This allows you to see how the linear scale question will appear to respondents. Ensure the question is clear and the scale is correctly set.

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Finished!

Advanced Tips for Maximizing Engagement with Your Linear Scale Question

Customizing the Look: While the default appearance of Google Forms is neat and functional, personalizing the form can increase engagement.

Click on the palette icon in the top right to change the theme color or add a header image related to your survey’s topic.

Experimentation with Scale Ranges: Not all questions will fit neatly into a 1-5 scale. Depending on your audience and the nature of the question, testing different ranges (e.g., 1-10 for more nuanced responses) can provide deeper insights.

Analyzing the Responses: Once your form is live and responses start coming in, click on the “Responses” tab to analyze the data.

Google Forms provides basic analytics, but for more in-depth analysis, consider exporting the data to a Google Sheet.

By following the steps outlined above, you've now mastered how to add a nuanced, linear scale to your Google Forms.

This simple yet powerful tool can transform your surveys, enabling you to capture the rich spectrum of your audience's opinions and preferences.

Experiment with different scales and labels to discover what resonates best with your respondents and unlocks the most valuable insights.