How to create a checkbox grid in Google Forms

Sometimes a single question isn't enough. If you're running a scheduling survey, evaluating products across multiple criteria, or asking respondents to rate several items at once, you need a way to collect multiple answers in an organized, readable format, and that's exactly what a checkbox grid does.

In this article, we will look at what a checkbox grid is, when and how to use checkbox grids in Google Forms, and how to create a checkbox grid in several steps. Without wasting time, let’s start with the definition!

What is a checkbox grid in Google Forms?

Unlike a standard checkbox question, which applies to a single item, a checkbox grid lets respondents evaluate multiple items using the same set of criteria. Respondents can select more than one answer per row.

A practical example: if you're coordinating a team meeting, your rows might be Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, while your columns are Morning, Afternoon, and Evening. Each respondent checks every time slot that works for them.

Checkbox grid vs. Multiple-choice grid: What's the difference?

The checkbox grid and multiple-choice grid question types look almost identical, and it's easy to pick the wrong one. The key difference is that you can select only one option per row in a multiple-choice grid, while you can select multiple options per row in a checkbox grid.

If you're asking multiple "select all that apply" type of questions across your form, use a checkbox grid. If you want one clear answer per row (like a satisfaction rating from 1 to 5), use a multiple-choice grid instead.

How to create a checkbox grid in Google Forms (Step-by-step)

Creating a Google Forms check-box grid is fairly straightforward. Simply follow the steps below:

1. Open Google Forms and start your form

After you open Google Forms, you can choose between two options: Start from scratch and create a new Google Form, or choose from Google Form templates. If you want to use templates, you can access them by clicking “Template Gallery” at the top right corner.

Google Forms dashboard

2. Add your questions

Click the + icon in the floating toolbar on the right side of the screen. This adds a new blank question to your form.

Add question (+) button at the right of the Google Form edit page

3. Edit your question and change its type to checkbox grid

Click on the "Untitled Question" placeholder and type your question. For example: "Which of the following times are you available this week?"

To the right of the question field, click the question-type dropdown (it defaults to "Multiple choice"). Scroll down and select the Checkbox grid. The question area will update to show a row-and-column grid layout.

Changing the question type by clicking on the question type dropdown

4. Add your row and column labels

Click each "Row 1", "Row 2" placeholder to fill in your labels. Do the same for the column headers. Add as many rows and columns as you need using the links at the bottom of each section.

Checkbox grid rows and column labels

5. Configure checkbox grid settings

After clicking on the three dots at the bottom of your checkbox question, you can:

Checkbox grid question settings

6. Preview your form and share

After everything is done, you can preview your form to see it from a respondent’s perspective. To access the preview section, click on the eye icon at the top right of the form.

The preview icon and the preview of a checkbox grid in Google Forms

Afterward, check your form for any mistakes or changes that should be addressed and share it with your customers using the publish button in the upper corner.

Publish button in Google Forms

When should you use a checkbox grid?

Checkbox grids work best when you have multiple items to evaluate and the same set of options applies to all of them. Some situations where they genuinely add value:

Limitations of checkbox grids in Google Forms

Google Forms is free and easy to use, but it has real constraints when it comes to checkbox grids specifically:

How can forms.app help you create better forms with a checkbox grid?

While creating checkbox grid questions may seem simple, there is room for improvement and optimization. That is why forms.app has realized the places for improvement and implemented optimizations to make the process even faster and easier.

Checkbox grid, a.k.a. Selection matrix on forms.app

When you are creating a form on forms.app, and you would like to add a checkbox grid question, you do not have to add a blank question first, then write your question, and then turn it into a checkbox grid question. You can simply scroll down at the left side of the Build tab, go down until you see the Rating Scales menu, and then click on Selection Matrix.

Editing the selection matrix on forms.app

The Selection Matrix will automatically add a checkbox grid question where you can customize many things: You can add or subtract columns using the plus and minus signs or give each column or row a different name, so you do not have to deal with multiple questions simultaneously.

Frequently asked questions about the checkbox grid in Google Forms

Conclusion

Adding a checkbox grid question will help you gather more detailed information, add value to the overall design of the form, and help customers have a more engaging experience while filling out your forms. Furthermore, it is also a great way to have multiple questions in one to save time and space.

We have looked at what a checkbox grid is in Google Forms, how to create them in simple steps, when to use them, and a better alternative for creating checkbox grids and forms in general: forms.app. Creating forms with forms.app gives you a much smoother and more accessible experience every step of the way. So, try them both and see the difference!