How do I import a survey from another tool?

If your survey already exists somewhere else, you don't need to rebuild it. Surbee can read it and turn it into a Surbee survey you can edit, style and publish.

Open the import window

1. Go to your home page.
2. Click the + button in the chat box (Add references, files, or import surveys).
3. Choose Import survey.

The Import Survey window has two tabs: Paste a link and From your account.

Paste a link

Use this for any form that anyone can open without signing in.

1. Copy the link your respondents use to open the form: the public link that opens the form for filling in.
2. Paste it into the box and click Import.

Most imports take a few seconds. Surbee reads Google Forms, Microsoft Forms, Typeform, Tally and Jotform links directly. For other sites, Surbee reads the questions from the page itself, and pages that need a full browser to load can take up to a minute.

When the import finishes, your new survey opens in the editor.

From your account

Use this for forms that are private, or that a public link can't reach. It works with Google Forms, Typeform, SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics and Jotform.

1. Open the From your account tab.
2. Next to the service, click Connect and follow the steps to give Surbee access.
3. Click Browse forms, search for the form you want, and click Import.

A service marked Coming soon can't be connected yet.

What comes across

Surbee rebuilds your questions, answer options and sections using its own question types. Formatting in the survey, section and question descriptions, such as bold text and links, is kept. Question wording and answer options come across as plain text.

Surbee rebuilds the form in its own style, so always review the result:

• Read every question and check that each one landed on a sensible question type.
• Check required questions.
• Check any branching or skip logic, and rebuild it if it is missing. See Logic and branching.
• Run through the survey with Preview.

Importing reads the form only. It never submits a response to the original form, and your existing responses stay where they are.

If the import doesn't work

Surbee tells you why an import failed. The most common reasons:

• The form needs a sign-in. Some forms only open for people signed in to an account. If it is your form, use From your account instead. For Microsoft Forms, ask the owner to set Who can fill out this form to Anyone can respond.
• No form at that link. Check that you copied the respondent link and that the form is still open.
• A bot check stopped the request. Some sites block automated visits. Use From your account if the service is listed there.
• No questions found. The page opened, but Surbee couldn't find any questions on it.