Easy Tech TutsHow to Close or Stop a Form, Survey, or Quiz Easily 2026
By Impran M N
Ending a survey or quiz shouldn't mean deleting your work or leaving respondents staring at a broken link. Microsoft Forms lets you toggle off response collection instantly, show a custom message to late arrivals, or schedule an automatic end date — all without touching your question layout.
01Open form settings
Click the three-dot More Form Settings icon and select Settings from the dropdown.
02Turn off response collection
In the options for responses section, uncheck Accept responses to immediately stop new submissions.
03Add a custom closing message
Use the newly revealed text field to write a message explaining why the form is no longer accepting entries.
04Or schedule an automatic end date
Toggle on the End Date option and use the calendar and time picker to set a future closing time instead of stopping manually.
05Reopen it later if needed
Return to the same settings panel and recheck Accept responses to bring the form back online whenever you're ready.
Frequently asked questions
Do closed forms still keep their existing responses?
Yes, closing a form only stops new submissions — all previously collected responses remain intact.
Can respondents see why the form is closed?
Yes, you can write a custom message that displays to anyone who clicks the link after you've stopped accepting responses.
Is there a way to schedule closing instead of doing it manually?
Yes, the End Date option lets you set an automatic cutoff date and time in advance.
Can I reopen a form after closing it?
Yes, simply rechecking the Accept responses box reactivates the form for new submissions.
Watch the full walkthrough
The same steps, demonstrated on screen from start to finish.
