To give form creators more control over who can respond, we're introducing granular controls for responders. Forms created with the API after January 31, 2026 will have an unpublished state by default. To learn more, see API changes to Google Forms.

Publish and manage responders on the form

This page describes how to perform these tasks involving forms:

Publish the form so that responders can access it
Find a responder to your form
Share your form with more responders
Remove responders from your form
Check if the form is accepting responses from 'Anyone with link'
Close a form
Unpublish a form
Stop accepting responses to a form
Check if a form is a legacy form

Before you begin

Do the following tasks before proceeding with the tasks on this page:

Create a form or quiz
Get the form ID. The form ID is returned in the formId field of the response when you create a form using forms.create.

Publish the form so that responders can access it

You can publish an existing form with the forms.setPublishSettings method.

Call the forms.setPublishSettings method with the form ID.

REST

Sample request body

{
  "publishSettings": {
    "isPublished": true,
    "isAcceptingResponses": true
  }
}

Apps Script

/**
 * Publishes a Google Form using its URL.
 */
function publishMyForm() {
  // Replace with the URL of your Google Form
  const formUrl = 'https://docs.google.com/forms/d/YOUR_FORM_ID/edit';

  try {
    const form = FormApp.openByUrl(formUrl);

    // Publish the form. This also enables accepting responses.
    form.setPublished(true);
    Logger.log(`Form "${form.getTitle()}" published successfully.`);

    // Optional: Verify the state
    if (form.isPublished()) {
      Logger.log('Form is now published.');
    }
    if (form.isAcceptingResponses()) {
      Logger.log('Form is now accepting responses.')
    }

  } catch (error) {
    Logger.log(`Error publishing form: ${error}`);
  }
}

Python

forms/snippets/publish_form.py

View on GitHub

import os.path

from google.auth.transport.requests import Request
from google.oauth2.credentials import Credentials
from google_auth_oauthlib.flow import InstalledAppFlow
from googleapiclient.discovery import build


# If modifying these SCOPES, delete the file token.json.
SCOPES = ["https://www.googleapis.com/auth/forms.body"]
DISCOVERY_DOC = "https://forms.googleapis.com/$discovery/rest?version=v1"
CLIENT_SECRET_FILE = "client_secrets.json"
TOKEN_FILE = "token.json"

# TODO: Replace with your Form ID
YOUR_FORM_ID = "YOUR_FORM_ID"


def get_credentials():
  """Gets the credentials for the user."""
  creds = None
  if os.path.exists(TOKEN_FILE):
    creds = Credentials.from_authorized_user_file(TOKEN_FILE, SCOPES)
  if not creds or not creds.valid:
    if creds and creds.expired and creds.refresh_token:
      creds.refresh(Request())
    else:
      flow = InstalledAppFlow.from_client_secrets_file(
          CLIENT_SECRET_FILE, SCOPES
      )
      creds = flow.run_local_server(port=8080)
    with open(TOKEN_FILE, "w") as token:
      token.write(creds.to_json())
  return creds


def publish_form():
  """Publishes the form."""
  creds = get_credentials()
  form_service = build(
      "forms",
      "v1",
      credentials=creds,
      discoveryServiceUrl=DISCOVERY_DOC,
      static_discovery=False,
  )

  # Request body for updating publish settings
  set_publish_settings_request = {
      "publishSettings": {
          "publishState": {"isPublished": True, "isAcceptingResponses": True}
      },
  }

  try:
    response = (
        form_service.forms()
        .setPublishSettings(
            formId=YOUR_FORM_ID, body=set_publish_settings_request
        )
        .execute()
    )
    print(f"Form {YOUR_FORM_ID} publish settings updated: {response}")
  except Exception as e:
    print(f"An error occurred: {e}")


if __name__ == "__main__":
  publish_form()

Node.js

forms/snippets/publish_form.js

View on GitHub

'use strict';

const path = require('path');
const {forms} = require('@googleapis/forms');
const {authenticate} = require('@google-cloud/local-auth');

// TODO: Replace with your Form ID
const YOUR_FORM_ID = 'YOUR_FORM_ID';

const CREDENTIALS_PATH = path.join(__dirname, 'credentials.json');
const SCOPES = 'https://www.googleapis.com/auth/forms.body';

/**
 * Publishes a Google Form.
 *
 * @param {string} formIdToPublish The ID of the form to publish.
 */
async function runSample(formIdToPublish) {
  const authClient = await authenticate({
    keyfilePath: CREDENTIALS_PATH,
    scopes: SCOPES,
  });

  const formsClient = forms({
    version: 'v1',
    auth: authClient,
  });

  const setPublishSettingsRequest = {
    publishSettings: {
      publishState: {
        isPublished: true,
        isAcceptingResponses: true,
      },
    }
  };

  try {
    const res = await formsClient.forms.setPublishSettings({
      formId: formIdToPublish,
      requestBody: setPublishSettingsRequest,
    });
    console.log('Form publish settings updated:', res.data);
  } catch (err) {
    console.error('Error setting publish settings:', err);
  }
}

if (module === require.main) {
  runSample(YOUR_FORM_ID).catch(console.error);
}
module.exports = runSample;

Find responders to your form

You can retrieve a list of all users who have responder access (the PUBLISHED_READER role) using Form.getPublishedReaders(). This returns an array of user objects.

REST

Append the query parameter includePermissionsForView=published to the request URL.

Apps Script

/**
 * Gets and logs the email addresses of all responders for a form.
 */
function listResponders() {
  // Replace with the URL of your Google Form
  const formUrl = 'https://docs.google.com/forms/d/YOUR_FORM_ID/edit';

  try {
    const form = FormApp.openByUrl(formUrl);

    // Get the array of User objects representing responders
    const responders = form.getPublishedReaders();

    // Log the responders
    Logger.log("Following can respond to the form");
    responders.forEach(responder => Logger.log(responder.getEmail()));

    return responders;

  } catch (error) {
    Logger.log(`Error getting responders: ${error}`);
  }
}

Python

forms/snippets/get_responders.py

View on GitHub

import os.path

from google.auth.transport.requests import Request
from google.oauth2.credentials import Credentials
from google_auth_oauthlib.flow import InstalledAppFlow
from googleapiclient.discovery import build


# If modifying these SCOPES, delete the file token.json.
SCOPES = ["https://www.googleapis.com/auth/drive.metadata.readonly"]
CLIENT_SECRET_FILE = "client_secrets.json"
TOKEN_FILE = "token.json"

# TODO: Replace with your Form ID
YOUR_FORM_ID = "YOUR_FORM_ID"


def get_credentials():
  """Gets the credentials for the user."""
  creds = None
  if os.path.exists(TOKEN_FILE):
    creds = Credentials.from_authorized_user_file(TOKEN_FILE, SCOPES)
  if not creds or not creds.valid:
    if creds and creds.expired and creds.refresh_token:
      creds.refresh(Request())
    else:
      flow = InstalledAppFlow.from_client_secrets_file(
          CLIENT_SECRET_FILE, SCOPES
      )
      creds = flow.run_local_server(port=8080)
    with open(TOKEN_FILE, "w") as token:
      token.write(creds.to_json())
  return creds


def get_responders():
  """Gets the responders for the form."""
  creds = get_credentials()
  drive_service = build("drive", "v3", credentials=creds)

  try:
    response = (
        drive_service.permissions()
        .list(
            fileId=YOUR_FORM_ID,
            fields="permissions(id,emailAddress,type,role,view)",
            includePermissionsForView="published",
        )
        .execute()
    )

    published_readers = []
    for permission in response.get("permissions", []):
      # 'view': 'published' indicates it's related to the published link.
      # 'role': 'reader' is standard for responders.
      # 'type': 'user' for specific users, 'anyone' for public.
      if (
          permission.get("view") == "published"
          and permission.get("role") == "reader"
      ):
        published_readers.append(permission)

    if published_readers:
      print("Responders for this form:")
      print(published_readers)
    else:
      print("No specific published readers found for this form.")

  except Exception as e:
    print(f"An error occurred: {e}")


if __name__ == "__main__":
  get_responders()

Node.js

forms/snippets/get_responders.js

View on GitHub

'use strict';

const path = require('path');
const {drive} = require('@googleapis/drive');
const {authenticate} = require('@google-cloud/local-auth');

// TODO: Replace with your form ID
const YOUR_FORM_ID = 'YOUR_FORM_ID';

const CREDENTIALS_PATH = path.join(__dirname, 'credentials.json');
const SCOPES = ['https://www.googleapis.com/auth/drive.metadata.readonly'];

/**
 * Gets the responders to the form.
 *
 * @param {string} formId The ID of the form.
 */
async function runSample(formId, email) {
  const authClient = await authenticate({
    keyfilePath: CREDENTIALS_PATH,
    scopes: SCOPES,
  });

  const driveService = drive({version: 'v3', auth: authClient});

  try {
    const res = await driveService.permissions.list({
      fileId: formId,
      includePermissionsForView: 'published',
      fields: 'permissions(id,emailAddress,type,role,view)',
    });
    const permissions = res.data.permissions || [];
    if (permissions.length === 0) {
      console.log(`No permissions found for form ID: ${formId}`);
    } else {
      console.log('Responders for this form:');
      for (const permission of permissions) {
        if (permission.view === 'published' && permission.role === 'reader') {
          console.log(`Responder:`, permission);
        }
      }
    }
  } catch (err) {
    console.error('Error getting responders :', err);
  }
}

if (module === require.main) {
  runSample(YOUR_FORM_ID).catch(console.error);
}
module.exports = runSample;

To add responders to a form so that they can open and respond to it, you can use the Drive permissions.create method.

Call the permissions.create method with the form ID and the access settings.

REST

Sample request body

{
  "view": "published",
  "role": "reader",
  "type": "user",
  "emailAddress": "user@example.com"
}

Apps Script

/**
 * Adds a single responder to a form using their email address.
*/
function `addSingleResponderByEmail()` {
// Replace with the URL of your Google Form
  const formUrl = 'https://docs.google.com/forms/d/YOUR_FORM_ID/edit';
  // Replace with the responder's email address
  const responderEmail = 'responder@example.com';

  try {
    const form = FormApp.openByUrl(formUrl);

    // Add the user as a responder
    form.addPublishedReader(responderEmail);
    Logger.log(`Added ${responderEmail} as a responder to form "${
        form.getTitle()}".`);

  } catch (error) {
    Logger.log(`Error adding responder: ${error}`);
  }
}

Python

forms/snippets/add_responder.py

View on GitHub

import os.path

from google.auth.transport.requests import Request
from google.oauth2.credentials import Credentials
from google_auth_oauthlib.flow import InstalledAppFlow
from googleapiclient.discovery import build


# If modifying these SCOPES, delete the file token.json.
SCOPES = ["https://www.googleapis.com/auth/drive.file"]
CLIENT_SECRET_FILE = "client_secrets.json"
TOKEN_FILE = "token.json"

# TODO: Replace with your Form ID and responder's email
YOUR_FORM_ID = "YOUR_FORM_ID"
YOUR_RESPONDER_EMAIL = "user@example.com"


def get_credentials():
  """Gets the credentials for the user."""
  creds = None
  if os.path.exists(TOKEN_FILE):
    creds = Credentials.from_authorized_user_file(TOKEN_FILE, SCOPES)
  if not creds or not creds.valid:
    if creds and creds.expired and creds.refresh_token:
      creds.refresh(Request())
    else:
      flow = InstalledAppFlow.from_client_secrets_file(
          CLIENT_SECRET_FILE, SCOPES
      )
      creds = flow.run_local_server(port=8080)
    with open(TOKEN_FILE, "w") as token:
      token.write(creds.to_json())
  return creds


def add_responder():
  """Adds the responder to the form."""
  creds = get_credentials()
  drive_service = build("drive", "v3", credentials=creds)

  permission_body = {
      "view": "published",
      "role": "reader",
      "type": "user",
      "emailAddress": YOUR_RESPONDER_EMAIL,
  }

  try:
    response = (
        drive_service.permissions()
        .create(
            fileId=YOUR_FORM_ID,
            body=permission_body,
            sendNotificationEmail=False,  # Optional: to avoid sending an email
        )
        .execute()
    )
    print(
        f"Added responder {YOUR_RESPONDER_EMAIL}. Permission ID:"
        f" {response.get('id')}"
    )
    print(response)
  except Exception as e:
    print(f"An error occurred: {e}")


if __name__ == "__main__":
  add_responder()

Node.js

forms/snippets/add_responder.js

View on GitHub

'use strict';

const path = require('path');
const {drive} = require('@googleapis/drive');
const {authenticate} = require('@google-cloud/local-auth');

// TODO: Replace with your form ID (fileId) and responder's email
const YOUR_FORM_ID = 'YOUR_FORM_ID';
const YOUR_RESPONDER_EMAIL = 'user@example.com';

const CREDENTIALS_PATH = path.join(__dirname, 'credentials.json');
const SCOPES = ['https://www.googleapis.com/auth/drive.file'];

/**
 * Adds a responder to the form.
 *
 * @param {string} formId The ID of the form.
 * @param {string} email The email of the responder.
 */
async function runSample(formId, email) {
  if (!formId || !email) {
    console.log('Form ID and responder email are required.');
    return;
  }
  const authClient = await authenticate({
    keyfilePath: CREDENTIALS_PATH,
    scopes: SCOPES,
  });

  const driveService = drive({version: 'v3', auth: authClient});

  const permissionBody = {
    role: 'reader',
    type: 'user',
    emailAddress: email,
    view: 'published',
  };

  try {
    const res = await driveService.permissions.create({
      fileId: formId,
      requestBody: permissionBody,
      fields: 'id,emailAddress,role,type,view',
      sendNotificationEmail: false,  // Optional
    });
    console.log('Responder added:', res.data);
  } catch (err) {
    console.error('Error adding responder:', err);
  }
}

if (module === require.main) {
  runSample(YOUR_FORM_ID, YOUR_RESPONDER_EMAIL).catch(console.error);
}
module.exports = runSample;

Remove responders from your form

You can remove individual responders by their email address or using a User object. Removing a responder revokes their ability to view and submit the form, unless they have access through other means like domain sharing or shared drive access.

Remove a single responder by email address

REST

DELETE https://www.googleapis.com/drive/v3/files/{fileId}/permissions/PERMISSION

permissionID can be found by 'listing responders' as described earlier

Apps Script

/**
 * Removes a single responder from a form using their email address.
*/
function `removeSingleResponderByEmail()` {
  // Replace with the URL of your Google Form
  const formUrl = 'https://docs.google.com/forms/d/YOUR_FORM_ID/edit';
  // Replace with the responder's email address to remove
  const responderEmailToRemove = 'responder-to-remove@example.com';

  try {
    const form = FormApp.openByUrl(formUrl);

    // Remove the user as a responder
    form.removePublishedReader(responderEmailToRemove);
    Logger.log(`Removed ${responderEmailToRemove} as a responder from form "${
        form.getTitle()}".`);

  } catch (error) {
    Logger.log(`Error removing responder: ${error}`);
  }
}

Python

forms/snippets/remove_responder.py

View on GitHub

import os.path

from google.auth.transport.requests import Request
from google.oauth2.credentials import Credentials
from google_auth_oauthlib.flow import InstalledAppFlow
from googleapiclient.discovery import build


# If modifying these SCOPES, delete the file token.json.
SCOPES = ["https://www.googleapis.com/auth/drive.file"]
CLIENT_SECRET_FILE = "client_secrets.json"
TOKEN_FILE = "token.json"

# TODO: Replace with your Form ID and responder's email
YOUR_FORM_ID = "YOUR_FORM_ID"
YOUR_RESPONDER_EMAIL = "user@example.com"


def get_credentials():
  """Gets the credentials for the user."""
  creds = None
  if os.path.exists(TOKEN_FILE):
    creds = Credentials.from_authorized_user_file(TOKEN_FILE, SCOPES)
  if not creds or not creds.valid:
    if creds and creds.expired and creds.refresh_token:
      creds.refresh(Request())
    else:
      flow = InstalledAppFlow.from_client_secrets_file(
          CLIENT_SECRET_FILE, SCOPES
      )
      creds = flow.run_local_server(port=8080)
    with open(TOKEN_FILE, "w") as token:
      token.write(creds.to_json())
  return creds


def remove_responder():
  """Removes the responder for the form."""
  creds = get_credentials()
  drive_service = build("drive", "v3", credentials=creds)

  try:
    # First, find the permission ID for the user
    permissions_result = (
        drive_service.permissions()
        .list(
            fileId=YOUR_FORM_ID,
            fields="permissions(id,emailAddress,role,view,type)",
            includePermissionsForView="published",
        )
        .execute()
    )

    permission_id_to_delete = None
    for p in permissions_result.get("permissions", []):
      if (
          p.get("emailAddress") == YOUR_RESPONDER_EMAIL
          and p.get("role") == "reader"
          and p.get("view") == "published"
          and p.get("type") == "user"
      ):
        permission_id_to_delete = p.get("id")
        break

    if permission_id_to_delete:
      drive_service.permissions().delete(
          fileId=YOUR_FORM_ID, permissionId=permission_id_to_delete
      ).execute()
      print(
          f"Successfully removed responder {YOUR_RESPONDER_EMAIL} (Permission"
          f" ID: {permission_id_to_delete}) from form {YOUR_FORM_ID}."
      )
    else:
      print(
          f"Responder {YOUR_RESPONDER_EMAIL} not found or not a published"
          f" reader for form {YOUR_FORM_ID}."
      )

  except Exception as e:
    print(f"An error occurred: {e}")


if __name__ == "__main__":
  remove_responder()

Node.js

forms/snippets/remove_responders.js

View on GitHub

'use strict';

const path = require('path');
const {drive} = require('@googleapis/drive');
const {authenticate} = require('@google-cloud/local-auth');

// TODO: Replace with your form ID (fileId) and responder's email
const YOUR_FORM_ID = 'YOUR_FORM_ID';
const YOUR_RESPONDER_EMAIL = 'responder-to-remove@example.com';

const CREDENTIALS_PATH = path.join(__dirname, 'credentials.json');
const SCOPES = ['https://www.googleapis.com/auth/drive.file'];

/**
 * Remove a responder to the form.
 *
 * @param {string} formId The ID of the form.
 * @param {string} email The email of the responder.
 */
async function runSample(formId, email) {
  const authClient = await authenticate({
    keyfilePath: CREDENTIALS_PATH,
    scopes: SCOPES,
  });

  const driveService = drive({version: 'v3', auth: authClient});

  try {
    const res = await driveService.permissions.list({
      fileId: formId,
      includePermissionsForView: 'published',
      fields: 'permissions(id,emailAddress,type,role,view)',
    });

    const permissions = res.data.permissions || [];
    const responderToRemove = permissions.find(
        (permission) => permission.view === 'published' &&
            permission.role === 'reader' && permission.emailAddress === email);

    if (responderToRemove) {
      const permissionId = responderToRemove.id;
      await driveService.permissions.delete({
        fileId: formId,
        permissionId: permissionId,
      });
      console.log(`Responder with permission ID '${
          permissionId}' removed successfully.`);

    } else {
      console.log('Responder not found for the specified form');
    }
  } catch (err) {
    console.error('Error removing responder:', err);
  }
}

if (module === require.main) {
  runSample(YOUR_FORM_ID, YOUR_RESPONDER_EMAIL).catch(console.error);
}
module.exports = runSample;

Check if the form accepts responses from 'Anyone with link'

To check if the form accepts responses from anyone with a link, you need to turn on the Drive Advanced Service.

Turn on the Drive Advanced Service:
1. Open your Apps Script project.
2. Click Services (the plus icon next to Service).
3. Find Drive API and click Add.
4. Click Add.

Apps Script

function `isAnyoneWithLinkResponder`(formId) {
  let permissions = Drive.Permissions.list(formId, { includePermissionsForView: 'published' }).permissions;
  if (permissions) {
    for (const permission of permissions) {
      if (permission.type === 'anyone' && permission.view === 'published' && permission.role === 'reader') {
        return true;
      }
    }
  }
  return false;
}

Python

forms/snippets/anyone_with_link_responder.py

View on GitHub

def is_anyone_with_link_responder():
  """Checks if anyone with the link is a responder for the form."""
  creds = get_credentials()
  drive_service = build("drive", "v3", credentials=creds)
  anyone_with_link_responder = False

  try:
    permissions_result = (
        drive_service.permissions()
        .list(
            fileId=YOUR_FORM_ID,
            fields="permissions(id,type,role,view)",
            includePermissionsForView="published",
        )
        .execute()
    )

    permissions = permissions_result.get("permissions", [])
    if not permissions:
      print(f"No permissions found for form ID: {YOUR_FORM_ID}")
    else:
      for permission in permissions:
        if (
            permission.get("type") == "anyone"
            and permission.get("view") == "published"
            and permission.get("role") == "reader"
        ):
          anyone_with_link_responder = True
          break

    if anyone_with_link_responder:
      print(
          f"Form '{YOUR_FORM_ID}' IS configured for 'Anyone with the link' to"
          " respond."
      )
    else:
      print(
          f"Form '{YOUR_FORM_ID}' is NOT configured for 'Anyone with the link'"
          " to respond."
      )

  except Exception as e:
    print(f"An error occurred: {e}")
  return anyone_with_link_responder

Node.js

forms/snippets/anyone_with_link_responder.js

View on GitHub

/**
 * Checks if anyone with the link is a responder for the form.
 *
 * @param {string} formId The ID of the Google Form.
 */
async function isAnyoneWithLinkResponder(formId) {
  const authClient = await authenticate({
    keyfilePath: CREDENTIALS_PATH,
    scopes: SCOPES,
  });

  const driveService = drive({version: 'v3', auth: authClient});
  let anyoneWithLinkResponder = false;

  try {
    const res = await driveService.permissions.list({
      fileId: formId,
      fields: 'permissions(id,type,role,view)',
      includePermissionsForView: 'published',
    });

    const permissions = res.data.permissions || [];
    if (permissions.length === 0) {
      console.log(`No permissions found for form ID: ${formId}`);
    } else {
      for (const permission of permissions) {
        if (permission.type === 'anyone' && permission.view === 'published' &&
            permission.role === 'reader') {
          anyoneWithLinkResponder = true;
          break;
        }
      }
    }

    if (anyoneWithLinkResponder) {
      console.log(`Form '${
          formId}' IS configured for 'Anyone with the link' to respond.`);
    } else {
      console.log(`Form '${
          formId}' is NOT configured for 'Anyone with the link' to respond.`);
    }
  } catch (err) {
    console.error(
        'Error checking "anyone with link" permission:', err.message || err);
  }
}

To set 'Anyone with link' can respond to the form:

Apps Script

function `setAnyoneWithLinkResponder`(formId) {
  Drive.Permissions.create({
    type: 'anyone',
    view: 'published',
    role: 'reader',
  }, formId);
}

Python

forms/snippets/anyone_with_link_responder.py

View on GitHub

def set_anyone_with_link_responder():
  """Sets anyone with the link to be a responder for the form."""
  creds = get_credentials()
  drive_service = build("drive", "v3", credentials=creds)

  permission_body = {
      "type": "anyone",
      "view": "published",  # Key for making it a responder setting
      "role": "reader",
  }

  try:
    response = (
        drive_service.permissions()
        .create(
            fileId=YOUR_FORM_ID,
            body=permission_body,
        )
        .execute()
    )
    print(
        "'Anyone with the link can respond' permission set for form"
        f" {YOUR_FORM_ID}: {response}"
    )
    return True
  except Exception as e:
    print(f"An error occurred: {e}")
  return False

Node.js

forms/snippets/anyone_with_link_responder.js

View on GitHub

/**
 * Sets anyone with the link to be a responder for the form.
 *
 * @param {string} formId The ID of the Google Form.
 */
async function setAnyoneWithLinkResponder(formId) {
  const authClient = await authenticate({
    keyfilePath: CREDENTIALS_PATH,
    scopes: SCOPES,
  });

  const driveService = drive({version: 'v3', auth: authClient});

  const permissionBody = {
    type: 'anyone',
    view: 'published',  // Key for making it a responder setting
    role: 'reader',
  };

  try {
    const res = await driveService.permissions.create({
      fileId: formId,
      requestBody: permissionBody,
      fields: 'id',  // Request only needed fields
    });
    console.log(`'Anyone with the link can respond' permission set for form '${
        formId}'. Permission ID: ${res.data.id}`);
  } catch (err) {
    console.error(
        'Error setting "anyone with link" permission:', err.message || err);
  }
}

To remove 'Anyone with link' can respond to the form:

Apps Script

function `removeAnyoneWithLinkResponder`(formId) {
  let permissions = Drive.Permissions.list(formId, { includePermissionsForView: 'published' }).permissions;
  if (permissions) {
    for (const permission of permissions) {
      if (permission.type === 'anyone' && permission.role === 'reader') {
        Drive.Permissions.remove(formId, permission.id);
      }
    }
  }
}

Python

forms/snippets/anyone_with_link_responder.py

View on GitHub

def remove_anyone_with_link_responder():
  """Removes anyone with the link as a responder for the form."""
  creds = get_credentials()
  drive_service = build("drive", "v3", credentials=creds)

  permission_id_to_delete = None

  try:
    permissions_result = (
        drive_service.permissions()
        .list(
            fileId=YOUR_FORM_ID,
            fields="permissions(id,type,role,view)",
            includePermissionsForView="published",
        )
        .execute()
    )

    permissions = permissions_result.get("permissions", [])
    for permission in permissions:
      if (
          permission.get("type") == "anyone"
          and permission.get("role") == "reader"
          and permission.get("view") == "published"
      ):
        permission_id_to_delete = permission.get("id")
        break

    if permission_id_to_delete:
      drive_service.permissions().delete(
          fileId=YOUR_FORM_ID, permissionId=permission_id_to_delete
      ).execute()
      print(
          "Successfully removed 'Anyone with the link' permission (ID:"
          f" {permission_id_to_delete}) from form {YOUR_FORM_ID}."
      )
      return True
    else:
      print(
          "'Anyone with the link can respond' permission not found for form"
          f" {YOUR_FORM_ID}."
      )

  except Exception as e:
    print(f"An error occurred: {e}")
  return False

Node.js

forms/snippets/anyone_with_link_responder.js

View on GitHub

/**
 * Removes anyone with the link as a responder for the form.
 *
 * @param {string} formId The ID of the Google Form.
 */
async function removeAnyoneWithLinkResponder(formId) {
  const authClient = await authenticate({
    keyfilePath: CREDENTIALS_PATH,
    scopes: SCOPES,
  });

  const driveService = drive({version: 'v3', auth: authClient});
  let permissionIdToDelete = null;

  try {
    const res = await driveService.permissions.list({
      fileId: formId,
      fields: 'permissions(id,type,role,view)',
      includePermissionsForView: 'published',
    });

    const permissions = res.data.permissions || [];
    for (const permission of permissions) {
      if (permission.type === 'anyone' && permission.role === 'reader' &&
          permission.view === 'published') {
        permissionIdToDelete = permission.id;
        break;
      }
    }

    if (permissionIdToDelete) {
      await driveService.permissions.delete({
        fileId: formId,
        permissionId: permissionIdToDelete,
      });
      console.log(
          `Successfully removed 'Anyone with the link' permission (ID: ${
              permissionIdToDelete}) from form '${formId}'.`);
    } else {
      console.log(
          `'Anyone with the link can respond' permission not found for form '${
              formId}'. Nothing to remove.`);
    }
  } catch (err) {
    console.error(
        'Error removing "anyone with link" permission:', err.message || err);
  }
}

Close a form

To unpublish a form, you use the Forms.setPublished(false) method. {/apps-script/reference/forms/form#setpublishedenabled} Unpublishing a form makes it unavailable and automatically stops it from accepting responses.

REST

Sample request body

POST https://forms.googleapis.com/v1/forms/{formId}:setPublishSettings

{
  "publishSettings": {
    "publishState": {
      "isPublished": false
    }
  }
}

Apps Script

/**
* Unpublishes a Google Form using its URL.
*/
function unpublishMyForm() {
  // Replace with the URL of your Google Form
  const formUrl = 'https://docs.google.com/forms/d/YOUR_FORM_ID/edit';

  try {
    const form = FormApp.openByUrl(formUrl);

    // Unpublish the form. This also disables accepting responses.
    form.setPublished(false);
    Logger.log(`Form "${form.getTitle()}" unpublished successfully.`);

    // Optional: Verify the state
    if (!form.isPublished()) {
      Logger.log('Form is now unpublished.');
    }
    if (!form.isAcceptingResponses()) {
      Logger.log('Form is no longer accepting responses.');
    }

  } catch (error) {
    Logger.log(`Error unpublishing form: ${error}`);
  }
}

Python

forms/snippets/unpublish_form.py

View on GitHub

import os.path

from google.auth.transport.requests import Request
from google.oauth2.credentials import Credentials
from google_auth_oauthlib.flow import InstalledAppFlow
from googleapiclient.discovery import build


# If modifying these SCOPES, delete the file token.json.
SCOPES = ["https://www.googleapis.com/auth/forms.body"]
DISCOVERY_DOC = "https://forms.googleapis.com/$discovery/rest?version=v1"
CLIENT_SECRET_FILE = "client_secrets.json"
TOKEN_FILE = "token.json"

# TODO: Replace with your Form ID
YOUR_FORM_ID = "YOUR_FORM_ID"


def get_credentials():
  """Gets the credentials for the user."""
  creds = None
  if os.path.exists(TOKEN_FILE):
    creds = Credentials.from_authorized_user_file(TOKEN_FILE, SCOPES)
  if not creds or not creds.valid:
    if creds and creds.expired and creds.refresh_token:
      creds.refresh(Request())
    else:
      flow = InstalledAppFlow.from_client_secrets_file(
          CLIENT_SECRET_FILE, SCOPES
      )
      creds = flow.run_local_server(port=8080)
    with open(TOKEN_FILE, "w") as token:
      token.write(creds.to_json())
  return creds


def unpublish_form():
  """Unpublishes the form."""
  creds = get_credentials()
  form_service = build(
      "forms",
      "v1",
      credentials=creds,
      discoveryServiceUrl=DISCOVERY_DOC,
      static_discovery=False,
  )

  # Request body for updating publish settings
  set_publish_settings_request = {
      "publishSettings": {"publishState": {"isPublished": False}},
  }

  try:
    response = (
        form_service.forms()
        .setPublishSettings(
            formId=YOUR_FORM_ID, body=set_publish_settings_request
        )
        .execute()
    )
    print(
        f"Form {YOUR_FORM_ID} publish settings updated to unpublished:"
        f" {response}"
    )
    return True
  except Exception as e:
    print(f"An error occurred: {e}")
  return False


if __name__ == "__main__":
  unpublish_form()

Node.js

forms/snippets/unpublish_form.js

View on GitHub

'use strict';

const path = require('path');
const {forms} = require('@googleapis/forms');
const {authenticate} = require('@google-cloud/local-auth');

// TODO: Replace with your Form ID
const YOUR_FORM_ID = 'YOUR_FORM_ID';

const CREDENTIALS_PATH = path.join(__dirname, 'credentials.json');
const SCOPES = 'https://www.googleapis.com/auth/forms.body';

/**
 * Unpublishes a Google Form.
 *
 * @param {string} formIdToUnpublish The ID of the form to unpublish.
 */
async function runSample(formIdToUnpublish) {
  const authClient = await authenticate({
    keyfilePath: CREDENTIALS_PATH,
    scopes: SCOPES,
  });

  const formsClient = forms({
    version: 'v1',
    auth: authClient,
  });

  const setPublishSettingsRequest = {
    publishSettings: {
      publishState: {
        isPublished: false,
      },
    }
  };

  try {
    const res = await formsClient.forms.setPublishSettings({
      formId: formIdToUnpublish,
      requestBody: setPublishSettingsRequest,
    });
    console.log('Form un-published.', res.data);
  } catch (err) {
    console.error('Error setting publish settings:', err);
  }
}

if (module === require.main) {
  runSample(YOUR_FORM_ID).catch(console.error);
}
module.exports = runSample;

To stop accepting responses for a form without unpublishing it, you can use the Form.setAcceptingResponses(false) method. Responders to your form will see the closed form page and message.

REST

Sample request body

POST https://forms.googleapis.com/v1/forms/{formId}:setPublishSettings

{
  "publishSettings": {
    "publishState": {
      "isPublished": true,
      "isAcceptingResponses": false
    }
  }
}

Apps Script

/**
 * Stop a Google Form from accepting responses using its URL.
*/
function closeMyFormForAcceptingResponses() {
  // Replace with the URL of your Google Form
  const formUrl = 'https://docs.google.com/forms/d/YOUR_FORM_ID/edit';

  try {
    const form = FormApp.openByUrl(formUrl);

    // This disables the form for accepting responses.
    form.setAcceptingResponses(false);
    Logger.log(`Form "${form.getTitle()}" closed for accepting responses successfully.`);

    // Optional: Verify the state
    if (form.isPublished()) {
      Logger.log('Form is still published.');
    }
    if (!form.isAcceptingResponses()) {
      Logger.log('Form is no longer accepting responses.');
    }

  } catch (error) {
    Logger.log(`Error unpublishing form: ${error}`);
  }
}

Python

forms/snippets/stop_accepting_responses.py

View on GitHub

import os.path

from google.auth.transport.requests import Request
from google.oauth2.credentials import Credentials
from google_auth_oauthlib.flow import InstalledAppFlow
from googleapiclient.discovery import build


# If modifying these SCOPES, delete the file token.json.
SCOPES = ["https://www.googleapis.com/auth/forms.body"]
DISCOVERY_DOC = "https://forms.googleapis.com/$discovery/rest?version=v1"
CLIENT_SECRET_FILE = "client_secrets.json"
TOKEN_FILE = "token.json"

# TODO: Replace with your Form ID
YOUR_FORM_ID = "YOUR_FORM_ID"


def get_credentials():
  """Gets the credentials for the user."""
  creds = None
  if os.path.exists(TOKEN_FILE):
    creds = Credentials.from_authorized_user_file(TOKEN_FILE, SCOPES)
  if not creds or not creds.valid:
    if creds and creds.expired and creds.refresh_token:
      creds.refresh(Request())
    else:
      flow = InstalledAppFlow.from_client_secrets_file(
          CLIENT_SECRET_FILE, SCOPES
      )
      creds = flow.run_local_server(port=8080)
    with open(TOKEN_FILE, "w") as token:
      token.write(creds.to_json())
  return creds


def close_form():
  """Closes the form for responses."""
  creds = get_credentials()
  form_service = build(
      "forms",
      "v1",
      credentials=creds,
      discoveryServiceUrl=DISCOVERY_DOC,
      static_discovery=False,
  )

  stop_accepting_request_body = {
      "publishSettings": {
          "publishState": {
              "isPublished": True,  # Keep it published
              "isAcceptingResponses": False,  # But stop accepting responses
          }
      }
  }

  try:
    response = (
        form_service.forms()
        .setPublishSettings(  # Corrected: form_service
            formId=YOUR_FORM_ID, body=stop_accepting_request_body
        )
        .execute()
    )
    print(f"Form {YOUR_FORM_ID} stopped accepting responses: {response}")
    return True
  except Exception as e:
    print(f"An error occurred: {e}")
  return False


if __name__ == "__main__":
  close_form()

Node.js

forms/snippets/stop_accepting_responses.js

View on GitHub

'use strict';

const {authenticate} = require('@google-cloud/local-auth');
const {forms} = require('@googleapis/forms');
const path = require('path');

// TODO: Replace with your form ID
const YOUR_FORM_ID = 'YOUR_FORM_ID';

const CREDENTIALS_PATH = path.join(__dirname, 'credentials.json');
const SCOPES = 'https://www.googleapis.com/auth/forms.body';

/**
 * Stops accepting responses to the form.
 *
 * @param {string} formId The ID of the form.
 */
async function runSample(formId) {
  const authClient = await authenticate({
    keyfilePath: CREDENTIALS_PATH,
    scopes: SCOPES,
  });

  const formsClient = forms({
    version: 'v1',
    auth: authClient,
  });

  const setPublishSettingsRequest = {
    publishSettings: {
      publishState: {
        isPublished: true,  // Keep it published (or ensure it is if it wasn't)
        isAcceptingResponses: false,  // Stop accepting responses
      },
    }
  };

  try {
    const res = await formsClient.forms.setPublishSettings({
      formId: formId,
      requestBody: setPublishSettingsRequest,
    });
    console.log('Form is no longer accepting responses.', res.data);
  } catch (err) {
    console.error('Error setting publish settings:', err);
  }
}

if (module === require.main) {
  runSample(YOUR_FORM_ID).catch(console.error);
}
module.exports = runSample;

Check if a form is a legacy form

Legacy forms are forms that don't have the publishSettings field whereas all new created forms support publish settings.

Check if a form is legacy or not by determining whether the form supports publishing. This method is used to determine whether the setPublished(enabled) and isPublished() methods, and responder permissions are enabled.

Apps Script

/**
 * Checks if a form supports advanced responder permissions (i.e., is not a legacy form).
*/
function `checkIfFormSupportsPublishing()` {
  // TODO(developer): Replace the URL with your own.
  const formUrl = 'https://docs.google.com/forms/d/YOUR_FORM_ID/edit';

  try {
    const form = FormApp.openByUrl(formUrl);

    // Checks whether the form supports publishing or not and logs it to the console.
    const supportsPublishing = form.supportsAdvancedResponderPermissions();

    if (supportsPublishing) {
      Logger.log(`Form "${form.getTitle()}" supports publishing (not a legacy
          form).`);
    } else {
      Logger.log(`Form "${form.getTitle()}" is a legacy form (does not support
          publishing).`);
    }
    return supportsPublishing;
  } catch (error) {
    Logger.log(`Error unpublishing form: ${error}`);
  }
}

Python

forms/snippets/supports_publishing.py

View on GitHub

import os.path

from google.auth.transport.requests import Request
from google.oauth2.credentials import Credentials
from google_auth_oauthlib.flow import InstalledAppFlow
from googleapiclient.discovery import build


# If modifying these SCOPES, delete the file token.json.
SCOPES = ["https://www.googleapis.com/auth/forms.body"]
DISCOVERY_DOC = "https://forms.googleapis.com/$discovery/rest?version=v1"
CLIENT_SECRET_FILE = "client_secrets.json"
TOKEN_FILE = "token.json"

# TODO: Replace with your Form ID
YOUR_FORM_ID = "YOUR_FORM_ID"


def get_credentials():
  """Gets the credentials for the user."""
  creds = None
  if os.path.exists(TOKEN_FILE):
    creds = Credentials.from_authorized_user_file(TOKEN_FILE, SCOPES)
  if not creds or not creds.valid:
    if creds and creds.expired and creds.refresh_token:
      creds.refresh(Request())
    else:
      flow = InstalledAppFlow.from_client_secrets_file(
          CLIENT_SECRET_FILE, SCOPES
      )
      creds = flow.run_local_server(port=8080)
    with open(TOKEN_FILE, "w") as token:
      token.write(creds.to_json())
  return creds


def supports_publishing():
  """Checks if the form supports publishing."""
  creds = get_credentials()
  form_service = build(
      "forms",
      "v1",
      credentials=creds,
      discoveryServiceUrl=DISCOVERY_DOC,
      static_discovery=False,
  )

  is_legacy = True  # Assume legacy until proven otherwise
  try:
    form_metadata = form_service.forms().get(formId=YOUR_FORM_ID).execute()
    # If 'publishSettings' field exists, it's not a legacy form regarding this feature.
    if "publishSettings" in form_metadata:
      print(
          f"Form '{YOUR_FORM_ID}' (Title:"
          f" {form_metadata.get('info', {}).get('title')}) is NOT a legacy form"
          " (supports publishSettings)."
      )
      is_legacy = False
    else:
      print(
          f"Form '{YOUR_FORM_ID}' (Title:"
          f" {form_metadata.get('info', {}).get('title')}) IS a legacy form"
          " (does not have publishSettings field)."
      )
    return not is_legacy  # Returns true if it supports publishing

  except Exception as e:
    print(f"An error occurred while checking form {YOUR_FORM_ID}: {e}")
    # Depending on the error, it might indicate non-existence or access issues,
    # not necessarily legacy status.
    return None


if __name__ == "__main__":
  supports_publishing()

Node.js

forms/snippets/supports_publishing.js

View on GitHub

'use strict';

const path = require('path');
const {forms} = require('@googleapis/forms');
const {authenticate} = require('@google-cloud/local-auth');

// TODO: Replace with your form ID (fileId)
const YOUR_FORM_ID = 'YOUR_FORM_ID';

const CREDENTIALS_PATH = path.join(__dirname, 'credentials.json');
const SCOPES = 'https://www.googleapis.com/auth/forms.body';

/**
 * Checks if the form supports publishing.
 *
 * @param {string} formIdToCheck The ID of the form to check.
 */
async function runSample(formIdToCheck) {
  const authClient = await authenticate({
    keyfilePath: CREDENTIALS_PATH,
    scopes: SCOPES,
  });

  const formsClient = forms({
    version: 'v1',
    auth: authClient,
  });

  try {
    const res = await formsClient.forms.get({
      formId: formIdToCheck,
    });

    const formTitle = res.data.info.title;

    // If 'publishSettings' field exists (even if empty), it supports the new
    // publishing model.
    if (res.data && res.data.publishSettings !== undefined) {
      console.log(`Form '${formIdToCheck}' (Title: ${
          formTitle}) is NOT a legacy form (supports publishSettings).`);
    } else {
      console.log(`Form '${formIdToCheck}' (Title: ${
          formTitle}) IS a legacy form (does not have publishSettings field).`);
    }
  } catch (err) {
    console.error(`Error getting form metadata for '${formIdToCheck}':`, err);
  }
}

if (module === require.main) {
  runSample(YOUR_FORM_ID).catch(console.error);
}
module.exports = runSample;

Publish and manage responders on the form Stay organized with collections Save and categorize content based on your preferences.

Before you begin

Publish the form so that responders can access it

REST

Apps Script

Python

Node.js

Find responders to your form

REST

Apps Script

Python

Node.js

Share your form with more responders

REST

Apps Script

Python

Node.js

Remove responders from your form

REST

Apps Script

Python

Node.js

Check if the form accepts responses from 'Anyone with link'

Apps Script

Python

Node.js

Apps Script

Python

Node.js

Apps Script

Python

Node.js

Close a form

REST

Apps Script

Python

Node.js

REST

Apps Script

Python

Node.js

Check if a form is a legacy form

Apps Script

Python

Node.js

Publish and manage responders on the form