File uploads to MS forms from out of organization, external file upload to MS form

Microsoft Forms cannot accept file uploads from external respondents, so collect the form data with Anyone can respond and use a separate OneDrive or SharePoint File Request link for the attachments.

Recommended setup

1. Remove the File upload question from the form.
   Forms supports file-upload questions only when Only people in my organization can respond or Specific people in my organization can respond is selected; this cannot be enabled for external or anonymous respondents through a tenant setting.^1^
2. Allow external responses.
   • Open the form.
   • Select Collect responses.
   • Choose Anyone can respond.
   • Copy the response link.^2^
3. Create a dedicated upload folder in OneDrive for work or school, or in the appropriate SharePoint document library.
4. Create the external upload link.
   • Select the folder.
   • Select Request files.
   • Enter a description such as Supplier supporting documents.
   • Select Next.
   • Select Copy link, then Done.^3^
5. Put that link in the form as an instruction, for example:

   Upload your supporting documents using this link. After the upload succeeds, return here and submit the form.

   Add a required text field for a reference such as company name, case number, purchase-order number, or uploaded filename so the form response can be matched to the uploaded files.

Anyone possessing the File Request link can upload without having OneDrive. Uploaders cannot view, edit, download, or delete the folder’s contents, nor see files submitted by others.^3^

If an uploader is not signed in, OneDrive asks for a first and last name, but those values are not validated. Do not treat them as verified identity; use your own case/reference field if submissions must be correlated reliably.^3^

If “Request files” is missing

Ask a SharePoint administrator to verify that:

• Anyone links are enabled.
• Folder permissions permit View and upload or View, edit, and upload.
• Request Files is enabled at the tenant or site level.
• Allow only specific security groups is not enabled.

For OneDrive, the administrator can check and enable the tenant setting through SharePoint Online Management Shell:^4^

Connect-SPOService -Url https://<tenant>-admin.sharepoint.com

Get-SPOTenant |
    Select-Object OneDriveRequestFilesLinkEnabled

Set-SPOTenant -OneDriveRequestFilesLinkEnabled $true

Enabling File Requests requires anonymous Anyone links, so the administrator should assess this against the organization’s security and compliance policy before changing it. File Request is unavailable for OneDrive for home, Office 365 Germany, and Office 365 operated by 21Vianet.^4^

If “Anyone can respond” remains unavailable

After the File upload question has been removed, an eligible administrator should go to:

Microsoft 365 admin center → Settings → Org settings → Services → Microsoft Forms → External sharing

Enable Send a link to the form and collect responses, then save the change.^5^

Request the native capability

This is a product limitation rather than a file-upload error that can be repaired locally. Submit the enhancement request from the form through:

More form settings (…) → Feedback

That channel sends Forms feature suggestions to the product team.^6^

References

1. Add questions that allow for file uploads in Microsoft Forms | Microsoft Support
2. Send a form and collect responses | Microsoft Support
3. Create a file request | Microsoft Support
4. Enable file requests in SharePoint or OneDrive
5. Administrator settings for Microsoft Forms
6. Frequently asked questions about Microsoft Forms | Microsoft Support