Forms spreadsheet not updating

Argiro, Emily 0 Reputation points
2026-10-22T19:32:05.22+00:00

The spreadsheet connected to a form stopped automatically updating with responses. It's not working on either the browser or the desktop app. When I download a copy of the spreadsheet, it's up-to-date.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Microsoft Forms | For business
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Clover-L 110 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
2026-10-22T23:27:07.5466667+00:00

Hello Argiro, Emily,

Thank you for reaching out.

Based on your description, the form is still collecting responses successfully, as the downloaded Excel file contains the latest submitted data. This indicates that the issue is likely related to synchronization between Microsoft Forms and the linked Excel workbook rather than the form itself.

If you're using a work or school account, please try the following steps below and check if it works:

  1. Open the form and go to Responses Overview.
  2. In the Insights and actions pane, locate the linked workbook.
  3. Select the arrow menu next to the workbook.
  4. Choose Disconnect and sync to a new workbook.
  5. Confirm Sync all responses to a new workbook.

This will create a new workbook containing the latest responses and may restore synchronization.

If the issue persists, please let me know:

  1. Is the workbook stored in OneDrive or SharePoint?
  2. Are all responses visible in Responses Overview?
  3. Has the workbook been manually modified (for example, renamed columns, added tables, or edits within the response table)?
  4. Are you using Microsoft 365 Apps for business or Office 365 Education with a work or school account?
  5. Are you receiving any error or synchronization messages?

For additional guidance, please refer to:

I look forward to your update.

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  1. AI answer

    2026-10-22T19:33:10.1666667+00:00

    Create a new linked workbook from the form by selecting Responses → More options → Sync all responses to a new workbook; this replaces the stale workbook connection while retaining all current responses.

    Re-create the live connection

    Because both the browser and desktop views of the existing workbook are stale while a newly downloaded copy is current, the responses remain in Forms but the existing cloud workbook is no longer syncing.

    1. Sign in to Microsoft Forms with the work or school account that owns or can edit the form.
    2. Open the form and select Responses.
    3. Select More options (…).
    4. Select Sync all responses to a new workbook.
    5. Forms creates the workbook beside the original file in OneDrive for work or school or SharePoint Online. Confirm that it contains the latest responses, then submit a test response and verify that a new row appears. ^1^

    Keep the old workbook temporarily if it contains formulas, charts, or other custom work. Move those features cautiously to a separate workbook or worksheet rather than modifying the Forms response table.

    Prevent the new workbook from losing synchronization

    Microsoft documents these conditions as preventing or disrupting Forms-to-Excel synchronization:

    • The workbook is locked or checked out by another user.
    • A table, formula, or other content was manually added to the synchronized response area.
    • The workbook is corrupted or too large for Excel for the web.
    • Information Rights Management or organizational policy prevents Excel for the web from opening it. ^2^
    • The SharePoint library has Require content approval for submitted items enabled. Workbooks in such a library will not synchronize. ^3^

    For calculations or reporting, leave the synchronized response table unchanged and reference it from another sheet or workbook.

    If “Sync all responses to a new workbook” is absent

    That command appears only when the form has a live workbook connection and the user is signed in with an eligible Office 365 Education or Microsoft 365 Apps for business account. A live connection is created when the form originates from OneDrive for work or school, SharePoint Online, Excel for the web, Teams, or the Microsoft Forms web part.

    If the form was created directly in Microsoft Forms and Open in Excel was subsequently selected, the resulting file is an export rather than a live-linked workbook. In that case, downloading the responses again is expected behavior; there is no existing live connection to repair. ^1^

    If the new linked workbook also stops updating without being edited, use More form settings → Feedback in Forms and have the Microsoft 365 administrator check service health and the SharePoint library policies.

    References

    1. How to get missing data in Forms | Microsoft Support
    2. How to ensure your form and workbook are in sync | Microsoft Support
    3. How do I know if the data in my Excel workbook is up to date? | Microsoft Support
    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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