Forms
Choosing the right form tool is an important part of creating accessible, user-friendly forms. UND offers several options to support different use cases, accessibility needs, and data workflows. Find the best option for your Form today!
Form Types
When creating forms, it’s helpful to think of them in terms of two categories: web-based forms and document-based forms. In most cases, web-based forms are the better choice because they are more accessible and easier to manage over time. Why?
Web-based forms:
- Use responsive design, making them easier to complete on phones and tablets
- Are more accessible to individual using assistive technologies, like screen readers
- Allow updates to be applied instantly, without redistributing files
- Eliminate issues with outdated or multiple versions of the same form
Form Tools
UND provides access to several tools that help in the creation and dissemination of forms on campus.
- Microsoft Forms (MS Forms)
- Qualtrics Forms
- DocuSign Forms
- Omni Forms
- Gideon Taylor Forms (available only in PeopleSoft)
- PDF Forms
Form FAQs
Review these frequently asked questions (FAQs) to help you decide which form tool best meets your needs.
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MS Forms: Forms are designed to be accessible, but some manual edits and reviews will still be necessary. Learn more about accessibility in Microsoft Forms.
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Qualtrics Forms: Qualtrics forms are highly customizable, so you will need to ensure you are adhering to accessible form guidelines. Learn more about accessibility in Qualtrics.
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DocuSign Forms: DocuSign forms can be made accessible, but they require a general knowledge of form accessibility. For accessibility, us DocuSign PowerForms or Web Forms, as the eSignature experience is not fully accessible. Contact UIT for more information on DocuSign.
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Omni Forms: Omni forms can be made accessible depending on how they were built and configured. UND provides help documentation for how to create forms in Omni. Contact Aimee Halstenson at aimme.halstenson@UND.edu for more information.
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PDF Forms: PDF forms can be made accessible, but it is extremely difficult. Even the most perfectly remediate PDF may still contain some underlying accessibility issues. Learn more about accessibility in PDF forms.
UND uses single sign on (SSO) for authentication purposes. If you require SSO, you should use Qualtrics or DocuSign.
- MS Forms: No
- Qualtrics Forms: Yes
- DocuSign Forms: Yes
- Omni Forms: No
- PDF Forms: No
- MS Forms: Yes
- Qualtrics Forms: Yes
- DocuSign Forms: Yes, but completing complex forms may be easier on a desktop or laptop.
- Omni Forms: Yes
- PDF Forms: Yes, but it is not advised.
- MS Forms: No
- Qualtrics Forms: Yes, but this question type is not accessible
- DocuSign Forms: Yes, but this question type is not accessible
- Omni Forms: No
- PDF Forms: Yes
Use display logic in your forms to show/hide questions or trigger actions based on form choices.
- MS Forms: Yes
- Qualtrics Forms: Yes
- DocuSign Forms: Yes
- Omni Forms: Yes
- PDF Forms: No
- MS Forms: No. MS forms only allow for one person to take action on a form.
- Qualtrics Forms: Yes, but it is not recommended. It can be difficult to set up and complicate the way in which responses are received.
- DocuSign Forms: Yes
- Omni Forms: No
- PDF Forms: Yes, but only one user can take action at a time. Additionally, forms must be shared manually between the people taking action.
- MS Forms: No
- Qualtrics Forms: Yes, but it is not recommended for use
- DocuSign Forms: Yes
- Omni Forms: Yes, but it can be complicated to set up.
- PDF Forms: No
- MS Forms: Direct link or QR code, direct invitation, live Present mode, embed
- Qualtrics Forms: Direct link or QR code to be shared via email, phone number, or social media.
- DocuSign Forms: Direct email link shared via email or website.
- Omni Forms: Distributed through the Omni website; they are set up as a web asset.
- PDF Forms: Direct link sent via email or a document download from a website.
- MS Forms: In the Responses tab for the form on the MS Forms website. Data can also be exported into an Excel workbook.
- Qualtrics Forms: Downloaded to a spreadsheet or exporting individual forms to PDFs.
- DocuSign Forms: Review forms in the Form Data menu option. Data can also be exported to a CSV file.
- Omni Forms: Exported to an Excel spreadsheet.
- PDF Forms: a PDF
Tool Resources
MS Forms
Microsoft Forms is a web-based tool for creating simple forms, surveys, and quizzes. As part of the Microsoft Office Suite, it includes built-in accessibility features that support keyboard navigation and screen reader use.
Microsoft Forms
Accessibility in Microsoft Forms
Qualtrics Forms
Qualtrics Forms are customizable online forms ideal for collecting data, conducting surveys, and managing feedback. They offer flexibility in design, question types, and logic, making them perfect for gathering information from large groups.
DocuSign, Omni, and Gideon Taylor Forms
DocuSign: PowerForms and Web Forms are ideal for forms that recipients can complete and sign on-demand, without the sender initiating the process each time.
Omni Forms: built directly on a UND sponsored site. They are ideal for forms that do not require a signature or authentication login.
Gideon Taylor Forms: best used for workflows within PeopleSoft. These forms are ideal for collecting information that needs to be stored directly in PeopleSoft, as they ensure that data from form submissions connects to the system automatically at the end of the workflow.
PDF Forms
PDF forms are a document-based form, which mean they are harder to make accessible. While PDF forms are the best document-based form for accessibility, it will require extensive remediation to make it accessible. Beyond simply adding form fields, you must include descriptive titles, proper tags, and a logical reading order to make PDF forms usable for all users, including those relying on screen readers.
Remediate Forms in Adobe Acrobat