Last updated: 13 September 2021
Our users should be able to complete all forms quickly and without confusion.
If you create an MS Form, ensure it adheres to the following standards so that people are more likely to complete your form correctly:
Ask only what is required
Every extra question you add to a form will mean users are less likely to complete it. Only use a question in a form if you know the information is needed to provide the service.
Break long forms into separate pages
Keep form pages short and split them into one ‘thing’ per page.
Read more about one thing per page.
Use a single column
Forms must use a single column design.
Find out more about form layout.
Order the form logically
Ask questions logically from the user’s perspective, not from your service’s perspective. For example, asking for someone’s address before their name would be unusual.
Read more about logical sequencing.
Write all content in plain, clear English
Follow our digital content standards to ensure the form is clear and written in plain English. For example:
- sentence case is easier and faster to read than Title Case
- you must spell out acronyms and abbreviations the first time you use them.
Read our guidance on:
Write helpful confirmation pages and emails
This content must let readers know what they have just done and what they need to do next.
Read more about confirmation pages and emails.
Ensure your form is accessibility-friendly
Your form must be accessible to everyone who needs it. You may be breaking the law if you do not make it accessible to people with disabilities.
Ensure the page background does not make the content hard to read, and there is adequate contrast.
Read more on colour contrast and other accessible image tips.
Read more guidance on form accessibility.
Protect users’ data
Consider who has access to the data the form collects, and how long it is kept for.
Read more about data protection and retention.
Accessibility Toolkit
Our accessibility toolkit contains guidance, tutorials and learning resources to help you make documents and web pages accessible.
Contact the Digital team
You can get in touch with us if you have a question or cannot find what you're looking for.