Easy Ways to Create a Poll in Microsoft 365

Read time: 7 minutes

A poll is a method used to gather opinions, ideas, suggestions, or feedback from a group of individuals on a specific topic. Organizations often seek periodic input from their employees on various matters. Microsoft has simplified this process by introducing multiple methods to create polls in Microsoft 365, eliminating the need for physical forms. These methods allow instant and effortless responses from participants. The collected data is then analyzed, enabling workplaces to make more informed decisions. Many companies are leveraging this feature, and it’s highly recommended for you to start utilizing it as well. Here are the most effective methods to create a poll in Microsoft 365-

• Microsoft Forms.
• Poll in MS Outlook.
• Poll in Microsoft Teams.
• Poll in Yammer.

Method 1- Microsoft Forms

Microsoft Forms is the only platform in Office 365 that is solely dedicated to creating polls, surveys, and quizzes. The results are presented automatically in real-time and can be easily exported to an Excel sheet.
Standout features:

• A user can add various types of questions, including multiple Choice, Text, Rating, Date, Ranking, Likert, and Net Promotion Score.
• The responses are summarized with visual charts and can be shared with others.
• There are many available options of themes that can be chosen for the form.
• It seamlessly integrates with other applications.
• You can use it for business, education, or personal learning purposes.

These steps are used to create a poll in Forms:

1. Select the ‘Forms’ application from the list.
2. On its Home page, click on ‘+ New Form.’
3. Now, select ‘+ Add New,’ and a list of options will be displayed. Choose the one you prefer.
4. Type the question and its options. Similarly, you can add more questions and view all the answers in the Responses section.

Outlook enables users to generate single-question polls through both its web and application interfaces. Furthermore, thanks to its exceptional features, many users often configure a Microsoft 365 account in Outlook.
Standout features:

• This is a one-time poll that cannot be edited after it has been sent.
• The results are displayed in detail in the same format as in the Forms application.
• The question is sent to participants via an email message.
• You can add multiple options and allow multiple correct responses.

The process of creating a poll in Outlook:

1. Open MS Outlook and open a new message window. Click on the 3 horizontal dots.
2. Click on the ‘Polls’ option at the bottom.
3. Enter the details and click ‘Add to email’ to send the poll to others.

During a crucial meeting or online class, there might be a pressing question that requires input from everyone present. This is precisely when a poll in Teams becomes invaluable. Microsoft Teams enables users to create instant polls, thanks to its seamless integration with Forms.
Standout features-

• The poll can be generated even while a meeting or class is ongoing.
• A multiple-choice question with multiple selections can be added.
• The creator has the choice to view the names of all the respondents.
• The results can also be shared with all the participants.
• The responses can also be viewed in the Excel format for better understanding or in the Forms application.

Follow these steps to create a poll in Teams:

1. Launch ‘Teams’ and start a new conversation. Click on the 3 dots present below.
2. The option of ‘Forms’ will appear; select that.
3. Type the question and options.

Yammer functions as an internal social networking service that promotes communication within organizations by gathering employees’ ideas and feedback. Think of it as social media tailored for the corporate environment. It includes a unique feature that allows effortless creation of polls.

Key features-

• Increases the engagement among employees.
• The poll is targeted toward a larger set audience.
• Links, attachments, GIFs, and pictures can be incorporated along with the questions.
• A poll can be created only for a specific community.
• This is unique to this platform only and has no integration with other Microsoft applications.

Steps for generating polls in Yammer:

1. Choose ‘Yammer’ from Microsoft.
2. Click the downward arrow and select the ‘Polls’ option.
3. Simply write the query and click on ‘Ask.’

By utilizing these methods, creating a poll becomes effortless, enabling you to gather necessary information and ultimately make more informed decisions for your organization.

Given the critical nature of data in Office 365, it’s advisable to employ professional software like the Kernel Office 365 Backup and Restore to take a secure backup of all the Office 365 data. It is a powerful utility that can export Office 365 mailboxes to PST and various other preferred output formats. Its process is both simple and highly efficient.

Conclusion

A Poll offers a convenient method to gather information from large groups of people and is frequently employed by businesses, educators, restaurants, hotels, and others. While some turn to third-party platforms, a superior option is leveraging Microsoft 365. Polls can be easily created in Office 365 through four techniques: Forms, Yammer, Outlook, and Teams. Each method is straightforward, and the ideal choice can be made based on their detailed features mentioned above. Additionally, safeguarding Office 365 data is crucial, and this can be achieved by utilizing a professional backup utility. It will also make it easier for you to find old emails in Office 365 without wasting any time and energy.