Using a ranking question in Microsoft forms

Question

Hi all, I am creating a form with a ranking question but it doesn't allow user to rank things to show me their opinion but instead requires them to match the ranking I set the question up with.

I want them to rank items so I can see what they think is important. Is this possible?

Answer 1

Dear @Lisa,

Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Q&A Community.

You've correctly identified a point of confusion with the ranking question in Microsoft Forms. The way the question type is designed is not for collecting opinions in the way you are describing.

The Ranking question in Microsoft Forms is primarily designed as a quiz or assessment tool. The form creator (you) is meant to set a correct order for the items. When users fill out the form, their task is to drag and drop the items into the correct sequence you pre-set, and the form will score them on how well they matched your answer. This is why it seems to require them to match a specific order.

To achieve your goal of having users rank items based on their own opinion, you should use the Likert question type. This question allows users to rate a series of items on a scale, which is perfect for gathering opinions on what they think is important.

Here are the steps to create a Likert question:

1. In your form, click on Add new.
2. Select the Likert question type from the menu.
3. In the "Question" field, type your question, for example: "Please rate the following items in order of importance."
4. In the "Statements" section, list the items you want them to rank (e.g., "Item A," "Item B," "Item C").
5. In the "Options" section, define the scale you want them to use. You can use a scale like:
   • "Very Unimportant"
   • "Unimportant"
   • "Neutral"
   • "Important"
   • "Very Important"

This approach will give you the data you need to see what your users think is most important.

I hope this information helps clarify the situation and provides you with workable solutions. Should you have any further questions or need additional assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're always here to help. Have a wonderful day!

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