How to collect data using spreadsheet?

Hello Jotform Support
I am collecting a long list of names along with simple group details:

• Column 1: Name
• Column 2: Position in the group (choice)
• Columns 3 & 4: Single-choice options (radio buttons)

I found the Input Table widget in Jotform, but it is quite impractical for a long list because all input data is submitted in a single row, which makes data processing complicated.

Because of this, I am considering using separate spreadsheet templates that participants can fill in, which seems simpler for both data entry and data management. My goal is to use a simple and straightforward interface similar to Excel or Google Sheets to reduce the time needed for data collection.

Do you have a widget or feature in Jotform that allows:

• Easy input of many rows with multiple columns per person,
• While keeping the data structured in a way that is straightforward to process later?

If such a tool exists, it would significantly improve efficiency for both respondents and administrators. Otherwise, I am open to suggestions on how to integrate external spreadsheet templates into the Jotform workflow effectively. I want each participant to receive a unique spreadsheet copy of a template to fill out, so that their entries do not overwrite others’.

I would appreciate any guidance or suggestions to achieve this using Jotform or combined with other tools.

Thank you for your assistance!

Hi Charles,

Thanks for reaching out to Jotform Support. I'm an AI assistant. I'll do my best to help you until someone from the support team is available.

Jotform offers a Spreadsheet widget that allows easy input of multiple rows and columns, with options to customize the number of rows, columns, and labels. This widget keeps data structured for easier processing.

Additionally, you can integrate your form with Google Sheets to automatically send form submissions to a spreadsheet, which updates in real-time. However, Jotform does not have a built-in feature to automatically generate unique spreadsheet copies per submission.

For your requirement of providing each participant with a unique spreadsheet copy, you can integrate Jotform with external automation tools like Google Apps Script. After each submission, a script can clone a Google Sheet and send the individual link to the user.

This way, you can combine Jotform's form capabilities with Google Sheets' flexibility for data collection and management.

Give it a try and let us know how it goes.

Hi Charles,

Jotform offers a Spreadsheet widget that allows easy input of multiple rows and columns with customizable labels and options. This widget keeps data structured and is suitable for collecting detailed group data in a spreadsheet-like format within your form.

Additionally, you can integrate your form with Google Sheets to automatically send submissions to a spreadsheet that updates in real-time. This integration allows you to manage and analyze data more effectively outside of Jotform. Let me show you how to set that up. First, let's connect your Google account to the form:

1. In Form Builder, in the orange navigation bar at the top of the page, click on Settings.
2. In the menu on the left, click on Integrations and select the Google Sheets integration.
3. Now, select Use an Existing Spreadsheet and click on Next.
4. Then, click on Authenticate and connect your Google account.

Then, let's set up the integration settings:

1. Once you connect your Google account, click on Add Action.
2. In the Select a Spreadsheet section, click on Select, and
3. Select your Google Spreadsheet in the window that opens and click on Select.
4. Scroll down, make sure Send Existing Submissions to the Sheet option is selected and click the on Save button at the bottom right of the settings. That’s it.

Once everything is set up, your existing submissions will be sent to your spreadsheet. Any new submissions to your form will also update your Google Spreadsheet automatically. Check out the screencast below to see how it'll work:

As for your other question, I've moved that to a new thread. You can check that out here.

Let us know if you need any more help.