How to time-limit access to a Microsoft Form

Microsoft Forms is still a relatively new app within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem but allows you to easily create surveys, quizzes and feedback forms and is available as part of any existing Microsoft 365 subscription. One particularly useful feature is the ability to limit access to a form based on a specific date range or even the ability to limit the amount of time you wish people to have to complete it.

Whether you are setting up a form for a timed quiz, a limited registration window, or a time-sensitive survey, Microsoft Forms provides simple settings to control access through start dates, end dates, and the time limit feature.

If you have not yet set up a Microsoft Form, check out these posts to get you started:

• Create multiple choice questions in a Microsoft Form
• How to add text-based questions in a Form
• How to add a Rating question in Microsoft Forms

Controlling access to your form ensures you:

• Receive responses only during a specific time window.
• Avoid late submissions or unwanted entries after a deadline.
• Create a timed experience for quizzes and tests.
• Manage event registrations more efficiently.
• Maintain fairness for assessments where time-based completion is crucial.

By setting a start and end date or a time limit, you gain greater control over how and when users interact with your form.

Open an existing Microsoft Form

1. Login to the Microsoft Forms website via https://forms.microsoft.com.
2. From the start page, open an existing form.

Set Start and End Dates

If you would like to allow access to your form during a specific time frame, you can use the Start and End date option. You can specify the start date and time and the end date and time.

To specify a start date and/or due dates:

1. With the form dispalyed, click the Settings button.

2. The Settings panel will appear.
3. Scroll down and locate the Start date field. Tick the box:

4. Specify the date and time you want to begin collecting responses:

5. Now place a tick in the End date field.
6. Again, specify the end date and time.
7. These changes will be saved as you make them.

Set a Time Limit

Another time based option is the ability to limit respondents to a set amount of time to complete the form. They will only be able to complete the form during the start & end dates set and if the time runs out the answers are automatically submitted.

To aply a time duration:

1. From the Settings pane, tick the Set time duration field.

2. Specify how long you want to provide respondents with to complete the form (measured in minutes).
3. The changes will be saved as soon as you make it.

Things to Remember

• Time Zones: Start and end dates are based on your computer’s local time zone. Double-check times if your respondents are in different regions.
• Preview the Experience: Always preview your form before sharing to ensure the timer and access window are working as expected.
• Communication: Clearly explain any timing rules to participants to avoid confusion and frustration.

Now that you have configured the time-based options, it is time to share the form. Check out these different methods to share the form with your respondents.