Can you create an anonymous form but still see who has responded?

Question

Basically, we are looking to create a required feedback survey for a training, so we want their answers to be anonymous, but we still need to see if they have responded. So basically, if there is a way to collect information about people who have completed the form without it being tied to their responses. If someone could let me know if this is possible that would be great!

Answer 1

Dear respected B. Kyrene K Maska,

Good day! Thank you for posting to Microsoft Community. We are happy to help you.

As per your description, I'm Sorry and I'm afraid, in Microsoft Form when we select “Anyone with the link can respond”, a response is anonymous, Microsoft Forms can’t identify the people who submit the response is, so it will display as anonymous.

When we use anonymous function in Microsoft Forms to share a form, the admin and creator cannot see username for the anonymous responses. When they check the responses, it only shows the respondent as Anonymous.

The “Record Name” option will record the username who has submitted the Reponses; however, this option is only available when you set “Only people in my organization can respond” but not “Anyone with the link can respond”. To explain this, when you select “Anyone with the link can respond”,  a response is anonymous, no personally identifiable information, such as name or user ID, is stored. In this scenario, Microsoft Forms can’t identify the people who submit the response is, so it will display as anonymous. For more details, you can refer to this article: Adjust your form or quiz settings in Microsoft Forms.

For the users who have submitted the responses, we’re afraid that we may not to change their names from anonymous to see who has responded.

We feel your pain due to this limitation and we’re really feel sorry for it. Firstly, please accept my apologize. However, we appreciate your understanding.  I do understand the inconvenience and apologize for it.

I believe Microsoft has been consistently modernizing various aspects of Microsoft Form, and it's possible that using "Anyone with the link can respond" record name of Microsoft Form may receive updates in the future.

Personally, I completely agree with you, this is indeed a good addition to the current features of Microsoft Office 365 application.

Meanwhile, as Microsoft get their attention is through the feedback mechanisms and Microsoft roll out feature requested from Microsoft 365 customers. I recommended you may also let your valuable Future request to Microsoft Form produce developer related Team through the feedback mechanisms.

We sincerely recommend you, regarding to your concern, I request you, please send your feedback and write down what you want them to implement via this link: Microsoft Form feedback portal, Microsoft product developers team monitor this site 24/7 and they will receive your request and put it into consideration. This is the best platform to let related team hear from you and make the products and services better for you and others.

We can expect this feature to be used in the future.

I'm Really Sorry and I apologize for it.

Appreciate your patience and understanding and thank you for your time and cooperation.

Sincerely,

Waqas Muhammad