How to Create a Form in SharePoint: Best Practices and Powerful Tools
SharePoint isn’t just storage—it’s the front door for requests, approvals, and structured data. This guide explains what forms are, why teams use them, which option fits your scenario, and how to build them well.
SharePoint is best known as a place to store files and collaborate on pages, lists, and libraries. But one of its most useful—and often overlooked—capabilities is creating and using forms. Forms turn a site from a simple repository into a system that captures requests, routes approvals, and centralizes data for reporting.
In SharePoint, forms let you collect, structure, and process information of many kinds—requests, surveys, questionnaires, incident reports, sign-offs, you name it. Submissions can create items in a list, attach files into a library, and trigger automated steps like notifications or approvals.
💡 If you want a deeper primer on what SharePoint forms can do, see this overview: SharePoint forms: the complete guide.
This article focuses on practical choices and actions. We’ll compare the main options—built-in SharePoint list forms (including the newer Microsoft Lists forms), Microsoft Forms, Power Apps, and third-party solutions—then show how to create, add, customize, and integrate forms in SharePoint. We’ll also highlight where ready-made products can simplify the work, especially when you need branding, complex logic, or cross-site integration without starting from scratch.
What you’ll get here:
- clear decision guidance on which form option to use and when
- step-by-step instructions to create and add a form to a SharePoint page
- simple customization techniques (validation, conditional visibility, formatting)
- integration patterns for approvals, notifications, and data storage
- practical examples and best practices you can reuse immediately
What Are SharePoint Forms?
Microsoft SharePoint forms are specialized interfaces for entering, editing, and processing data that lives in SharePoint lists or libraries. Think of a list as a lightweight database table: each submission becomes a list item with fields (title, dates, people, choice columns, attachments). A library works similarly but centers on documents—its “form” is the properties panel you complete when you upload or edit a file. Forms give your users a friendly, structured way to add information while SharePoint handles storage, permissions, versioning, and search behind the scenes.
Why organizations use forms in SharePoint
Forms turn everyday tasks into repeatable inputs. Employees can submit requests, file reports, answer surveys, or provide feedback, and that data is automatically added to a SharePoint list. From there you can:
- analyze results in views or Power BI
- kick off processes such as approvals and notifications with Power Automate
- integrate with Microsoft 365 apps like Teams, Outlook, and Planner
- enforce governance with column validation, required fields, and permissions
The result is a single source of truth that’s easy to maintain and audit.
Can you create a form in a SharePoint site?
Yes. When you create a new list or library, SharePoint automatically generates the basic forms you need to add and edit items. For lists, you’ll see New, Edit, and Display forms; for libraries, you’ll see a properties form tied to each file. You can also enhance list forms with column rules and formatting, or choose another form option when you need more control.
Beyond the built-in forms, you can create forms using Power Apps, Microsoft Forms, or third-party solutions—each suited to different scenarios and levels of complexity.
Types of SharePoint forms
Here’s a quick map of your choices. SharePoint supports several ways to capture data, each suited to a different need: built-in list/library forms for structured internal data, Microsoft Forms for fast surveys and questionnaires, Power Apps for rich logic and tailored layouts, and third-party designers for no-code scale across many teams. As you read the sections that follow, keep four factors in mind—who will submit (internal vs external), where the data should live (list, library, or Forms), how much logic/branding you need, and how fast you must launch.
| Criterion | Standard list forms | Microsoft Forms | Power Apps | Third-party (e.g., Virto Form Designer) |
| Best for | Internal data entry to a SharePoint list | Fast surveys/questionnaires | Rich, custom UX + complex logic | No-code advanced layouts and rules |
| Data location | SharePoint list/library | Microsoft Forms (optionally Excel) | SharePoint list (+ other sources) | SharePoint list/library |
| Logic complexity | Low–medium (basic rules/formatting) | Low (branching) | High | Medium–high (rule builder) |
| External responders | No (internal) | Yes (tenant policy dependent) | Typically internal | Typically internal |
| Time to launch | Minutes | Minutes | Days–weeks | Minutes–hours |
| Skills needed | Site owner | Anyone | Maker/developer | Site owner/business user |
Standard SharePoint list and library forms
Start with these when you need structured inputs without extra tools. The forms are generated automatically for every list or library and save directly to SharePoint, so you can launch in minutes and expand later if requirements grow.
- What they are: Auto-generated forms that come with every list or library (New, Edit, Display; or document properties for libraries).
- When to use: Simple lists, small teams, quick intake needs.
- What they offer: Required fields, choice pickers, attachments, basic validation, formatting, and conditional visibility for columns.
- Limitations: Limited layout control and complex logic compared to other options.
Power Apps forms
Use these when the built-in form hits its limits. Power Apps lets you design tailored experiences—richer layouts, rules, and integrations—while keeping your data in SharePoint.
- What they are: Highly customizable forms built with Power Apps and connected to your list.
- When to use: You need advanced UI, business rules, data validation, multi-step screens, or integrations with other data sources.
- What they offer: Rich layout, reusable components, role-based logic, connectors, automation with Power Automate.
- Considerations: Requires maker skills and some ongoing maintenance.
Microsoft Forms (integrated with SharePoint)
Reach for this when you need quick surveys or feedback without touching your list structure. Build the form in minutes, then embed it on a SharePoint page or share a link—ideal for polls, questionnaires, and lightweight check-ins.
- What it is: A separate survey/quiz service that you can embed on SharePoint pages or route into lists with Power Automate.
- When to use: Surveys, questionnaires, quick feedback collection—especially when you want branching questions or simple sharing.
- What it offers: Easy sharing links, branching, response charts; responses are stored in Microsoft Forms (and optionally an Excel workbook).
- Considerations: Data doesn’t land in a SharePoint list unless you add a flow; best for lightweight data capture.
Third-party designers for create form on SharePoint (e.g., Virto Form Designer)
Choose this path when you need advanced layouts and rules without building an app. Third-party designers like Virto Form Designer provide no-code speed, consistent branding, and direct write-back to SharePoint lists, which makes them easy to scale across teams.
- What they are: No-code tools with drag-and-drop controls that write directly to SharePoint.
- When to use: You want branded, complex forms quickly without building in Power Apps, or you need features like multi-column layouts, tabbed pages, and advanced validation out of the box.
- What they offer: Fast configuration, rich UI elements, templates, and integration helpers.
Does SharePoint have something like Google Forms?
There isn’t a single built-in “Google Forms clone” inside SharePoint. Instead, you choose the option that fits your need:
- Microsoft Forms gives you survey-style experiences similar to Google Forms and can be embedded on SharePoint pages.
- Standard list forms capture structured data directly into SharePoint for team workflows.
- Power Apps and third-party tools can surpass Google Forms with richer layouts, business rules, and tight integration across Microsoft 365.
Common use cases for forms on SharePoint
Here are the day-to-day scenarios where SharePoint forms shine. Each example benefits from structured fields, clear ownership, and simple automation to move work forward.
- Vacation and business travel requests
- Employee questionnaires for onboarding, HR updates, or recruiting
- IT support tickets and service requests with attachments
- Employee or customer feedback, including satisfaction surveys
- Idea/suggestion intake for internal initiatives
- Registration for corporate trainings or events
- Project or department status reporting and task updates
- Internal audit, compliance checks, and quality control records
Real-world examples
Below are practical, end-to-end patterns that show how a submission moves from form to process to outcome—so you can picture the full workflow in action.
- Time-off requests: A list form collects dates and reason. A Power Automate flow sends manager approvals and posts status in Teams. Approved items update a shared calendar.
- IT helpdesk: A list form with priority, category, and file attachments routes tickets to the right queue. Views and rules highlight aging items; weekly dashboards surface trends.
- Facilities fixes: Mobile-friendly form lets staff submit location, issue type, and photos. Completed work orders close the item and notify the requester.
- Event sign-ups: Microsoft Forms captures registrations; a flow writes each response to a SharePoint list, emails confirmations, and updates a capacity counter on the event page.
- Audit checks: A tailored form (Power Apps or a third-party designer) walks inspectors through required fields, ensures evidence is attached, and locks submissions after review.
In short, SharePoint forms give you structured inputs that feed lists and libraries, connect to automation, and scale from quick surveys to robust business processes.
Options for Creating Forms in SharePoint
In this section we’ll walk through every practical way to build forms in SharePoint: the built-in list/library forms, Microsoft Forms embedded on a page, Power Apps for custom experiences, and third-party designers. For each option you’ll see what it’s best for, how to get started, and trade-offs to keep in mind.
Basic SharePoint forms
Every SharePoint list and document library comes with ready-made forms. For lists, you get New, Edit, and Display forms. For libraries, you fill out a properties form when you upload or edit a file. These forms save directly to SharePoint—no connectors or extra services required. If you’re using Microsoft Lists, there’s also a Lists form experience that lets you share a clean form view for the same list.
What they’re good for. Quick intake scenarios, small teams, and any case where you just need structured data written straight into SharePoint with minimal setup.
👉What are some SharePoint forms examples? Examples include vacation or travel requests, IT support tickets with attachments, onboarding questionnaires, event registrations, employee feedback and pulse surveys, among others.
How do I create a fillable form in SharePoint?
In SharePoint, forms are based on lists. Create the list and its columns; SharePoint generates the form automatically.
Step-by-step for how to create a SharePoint form (standard list forms):
- Go to your SharePoint site → New → List.

- Choose Blank list (or a template), give it a name, and create it.

- Add columns for the data you need—e.g., Person (Requester), Date (Requested date), Choice (Category), Multiple lines of text (Comments), Attachments (if needed).
- Click New (or Forms) to see your auto-generated New form.

- Use Edit in grid view or List settings to fine-tune columns (required, default values, validation, choices).
- Optional: use Format current view and Edit form to add simple conditional visibility and layout tweaks (e.g., show Comments only when Category = “Other”).
- Share the list with your team. Everyone with add permissions can submit via the New button; editors can update items via Edit; viewers can open the Display form.
Notes on customization limits: Built-in forms cover the basics—required fields, column validation, simple conditional visibility, and JSON-based formatting. For multi-step screens, branded layouts, complex branching, or cross-system logic, move up to Power Apps or a third-party designer.
| Column type | Use for | Tips |
| Single line of text | Short labels/IDs | Add max length |
| Multiple lines of text | Descriptions/notes | Enable “append changes” for logs |
| Choice | Categories/status | Use default + enforce choices |
| Person | Requester/assignee | Limit to people/groups as needed |
| Date and time | Due/leave dates | Require start ≤ end |
| Yes/No | Toggles/consents | Set meaningful default |
| Lookup | Reference lists (e.g., cost centers) | Enable relationship behavior |
| Attachments | Evidence/files | Restrict size/types via guidance |
👉So, how to create a form in SharePoint? To create SharePoint form, follow these steps: Create a list (New → List), add the columns you need, and SharePoint automatically provides the New/Edit/Display form; set required fields, defaults, and simple rules in Edit form or with JSON formatting, then share the list or add it to a page. For surveys, build in Microsoft Forms and embed it with the Microsoft Forms web part; for richer layout and logic, customize the list form with Power Apps or use a no-code designer like Virto Form Designer. That’s it—submissions are saved as items in your SharePoint list.
Microsoft Forms SharePoint
Microsoft Forms is a separate survey and quiz service. You can surface its forms on SharePoint pages or route responses into SharePoint with Power Automate.
What is the difference between Microsoft Forms and SharePoint forms?
Here’s a quick contrast to help you pick the right tool for your scenario—same ecosystem, different jobs.
- SharePoint forms are the built-in forms tied to lists and libraries; submissions create or update items in SharePoint.
- Microsoft Forms lives outside SharePoint; it’s ideal for surveys and questionnaires, and you can embed it on SharePoint pages or link to it. Responses are stored in Microsoft Forms (and optionally an Excel workbook); use a flow if you want items created in a SharePoint list.
Great use cases for Microsoft Forms:
- Quick pulse surveys for employees
- HR questionnaires (satisfaction checks, onboarding assessments)
- Project retrospectives and feedback collectiono
- Registration for internal events and trainings
How to create a Microsoft Form in SharePoint?
You’ll build the form in Microsoft Forms, copy its link or embed code, and then place it on a SharePoint page using the Microsoft Forms web part. Follow these steps to go from a blank form to a live survey on your site.
- In Microsoft Forms, create your form or quiz.

- Copy the Share link (or the Embed code).

- In SharePoint, edit a page and add the Microsoft Forms web part.

- Paste the link or embed code; configure options (which form, whether to collect responses or show results).

- Publish the page. The form appears on your portal and employees can fill it out immediately.

Example: HR builds a “New employee onboarding assessment” in Microsoft Forms. They add it to the corporate portal’s onboarding page via the Forms web part. New hires complete the survey online; HR sees aggregated charts in Forms and, if needed, uses a Power Automate flow to write each response to a SharePoint list for tracking.
Emphasis: This is the fastest path for surveys and feedback—perfect when you need something live today.
Does Microsoft 365 have a form builder?
Yes—two of them:
- Microsoft Forms: simple and fast for surveys and polls.
- Power Apps: highly flexible for custom forms, business rules, and integrations.
Power Apps for custom forms
Power Apps is Microsoft’s low-code platform and the primary way to build rich, custom forms for SharePoint lists.

What you can do with it:
- Business logic: hide/show fields based on selections, prefill values, enforce complex rules, create multi-step screens.
- Integrations: connect to external systems (CRM, ERP, SQL, Dataverse) and other Microsoft 365 services.
- Visual design: control layout, sections, tabs, and component reuse; apply branding and responsive behavior.
- Validation: implement sophisticated checks beyond standard column validation.
Example: Replace a basic travel request with a Power Apps form that looks up the employee in Entra ID (Azure AD), autocompletes department and cost center, calculates per-diem by destination, and kicks off a Power Automate approval—posting status updates in Teams and writing the final record to the SharePoint list.
Who it’s for: Advanced users, site owners, and admins who can invest some build time. It’s powerful, but it does require maker skills and ongoing ownership.
👉Is there any difference between SharePoint Online forms and SharePoint forms on-prem? Yes—both are list/library-based, but SharePoint Online has the modern form experience (JSON layout, conditional visibility, Microsoft Lists forms, native Power Automate and the Microsoft Forms web part). On-prem (2013/2016/2019/SE) mostly uses classic forms and leans on InfoPath/SPFx or third-party tools for richer behavior, and some cloud-only integrations aren’t available.
Third-party solutions and plugins
Custom Power Apps can take time, and bespoke development can be expensive. Third-party tools give you speed without code.
Benefits you can expect:
- Drag-and-drop designers with no code
- Flexible appearance and logic out of the box (multi-column layouts, tabs, rules)
- Deep integration with SharePoint lists and workflows
- Prebuilt templates for HR, IT, finance, and operations
Tools like Virto Form Designer let teams stand up polished forms in minutes and evolve them over time without engineering effort.
👉What are some SharePoint form builders? SharePoint form builders include the built-in list/library and Microsoft Lists forms, Power Apps for custom logic, and Microsoft Forms for surveys embedded on SharePoint. Third-party options like Virto Form Designer, Plumsail Forms, KWizCom Forms, and Nintex are also popular, and developers can build SPFx-based custom forms when needed.
Practical aspects of creating forms in SharePoint
This subsection answers two common “how do I…?” tasks you’ll hit on day one.
How to create survey forms in SharePoint?
You’ve got three straightforward paths:
- Use Microsoft Forms and embed it on a SharePoint page with the Forms web part—fastest launch, great for polls and questionnaires.
- Use a SharePoint list and treat the list’s New form as your survey—add choice, rating, and text columns; build views and charts later.
- Use Virto Form Designer to build a survey with richer fields, logic, and integration into approvals or notifications.
How to submit a form in SharePoint?
Submitting a SharePoint list form or a Microsoft Lists form creates a new item in the target list. Submitting a Microsoft Form stores responses in Microsoft Forms (and optionally an Excel workbook). Use Power Automate if you need to write responses into a SharePoint list.
| Form type | Where responses live by default | Writes to SharePoint list by default? | To create list items from responses |
| Standard list form | SharePoint list | Yes | Not needed |
| Microsoft Lists form | SharePoint list | Yes | Not needed |
| Microsoft Forms | Forms (and optional Excel) | No | Power Automate template (“Record form responses in SharePoint”) |
Also note: once connected to Power Automate, a submission can automatically trigger a business process—sending a manager notification, starting an approval, logging a ticket, or posting to a Teams channel.
Challenges with Standard Solutions and the Need for Customization
SharePoint creates basic forms automatically when you add a list or library. For many teams, that’s enough to start collecting structured data with minimal setup. As usage grows, though—more fields, more rules, more audiences—limitations surface and you’ll need customization to keep forms usable, reliable, and scalable.
Where standard forms fall short
As your lists grow and requirements become more nuanced, the limits of the default experience start to show. Here are the common pain points that push teams toward JSON tweaks, Power Apps, or third-party designers:
- Basic interface and layout: Out of the box, list and library forms share a uniform look. You can rename fields, set required columns, and apply simple formatting, but fine-grained layout (multi-column sections, tabs, grouped fields, branded headers/footers) is limited.
- Limited business logic: Modern list forms support simple conditional visibility and column validation, which helps for straightforward rules. But complex behavior—multi-step logic, dynamic sections driven by several inputs, cross-field calculations, record lookups, and role-aware views—quickly exceeds what the standard form can do on its own.
- Dependence on makers or developers for advanced needs: Once you need richer UX or logic, you’ll turn to Power Apps or custom components. Power Apps is powerful but requires build skills and ongoing ownership. Custom SPFx or web part development offers full control, but it’s time- and resource-intensive.
- Workflows are separate from the form: A standard form doesn’t “contain” a process. Approvals, notifications, and escalations live in Power Automate or other services. That’s fine for one list; at scale, dozens of similar flows can be hard to govern, version, and troubleshoot.
- Scaling challenges: As forms spread across departments, keeping them consistent becomes difficult. Duplicated lists, mismatched rules, and per-site tweaks increase support load. Training new users on many slightly different forms is also time-consuming.
Customization paths
There are three practical ways to go beyond the basics; choose the path that fits your complexity, timeline, and skills.
Power Apps
Use Power Apps when you want full control over layout and behavior while keeping your data in SharePoint.
- What it adds: Fully custom forms connected to your SharePoint list. Build multi-screen experiences, implement complex business rules, reuse components, and integrate with external systems (CRM, ERP, SQL, Dataverse).
- When to choose: You need branded UI, conditional sections, data lookups, and end-to-end processes (often alongside Power Automate).
- Trade-offs: Higher entry barrier, maker skills required, and ongoing maintenance for app versions, environments, and permissions.
JSON formatting
Choose JSON formatting for quick visual improvements and simple conditional rules without building an app.
- What it adds: A lightweight way to change how list forms and views look—status badges, conditional visibility, sectioning, custom buttons, and guidance text.
- When to choose: You want quick, no-code visual improvements and simple rules without moving to Power Apps.
- Trade-offs: It’s still configuration, not a full app. Complex logic, multi-step interactions, and external integrations remain out of scope.
Third-party solutions
Third-party designers provide no-code speed and consistency when you need advanced layouts and governance at scale.
- What they add: No-code, drag-and-drop designers that write directly to SharePoint and often include templates for HR, IT, and finance. Example: Virto Form Designer.
- When to choose: You want advanced layouts, validation, field rules, and process integration without building an app from scratch. Great for teams that value speed and consistency across many forms.
- Trade-offs: Licensing and vendor management; evaluate governance features, support, and roadmap fit.
Why customization matters in corporate scenarios
These are the departments that feel the gaps first. At scale, each needs tailored fields, rules, and views to reduce errors and speed decisions. The examples below show where customization delivers the biggest impact.
- HR: Vacation and leave requests, onboarding packets, recruitment forms, policy acknowledgements. These need branching questions, role-based fields, and clean mobile layouts for employees and managers.
- IT: Support requests, incident reports, change approvals. Useful features include required evidence, priority rules, and integrations with ticketing or alerting.
- Internal operations: Travel approvals, expense submissions, asset requests, internal audits. Forms benefit from lookups (cost centers, approvers), calculated fields, and multi-step approvals.
- Projects and PMO: Status reports, risk logs, deliverable sign-offs. Teams need consistent templates, validated inputs, and dashboards that roll up across many lists.
Bottom line: start with the built-in form to capture data quickly. As soon as you need richer layout, stronger validation, integrated workflows, or broad reuse, plan a customization path—JSON formatting for light enhancements, Power Apps for full control, or a third-party designer for speed at scale.
Virto Form Designer Ready-Made Solutions
Building custom forms from scratch—whether in Power Apps or with bespoke SPFx components—can be costly to develop and maintain, especially in larger organizations with many departments and varied requirements. VirtoSoftware’s form designer products give you a faster, no-code path: you design the experience visually, connect it to your SharePoint list or library, and publish.

Two product options: online and on-premises
Choose the edition that matches your environment and governance needs. VirtoSoftware offers a cloud app for Microsoft 365 tenants and a server-based edition for SharePoint on-premises, with comparable features tailored to each platform.
- Virto Form Designer for SharePoint Online & Microsoft 365 (cloud). A no-code, drag-and-drop designer that creates forms from SharePoint lists and libraries. It includes an advanced layout builder, the ability to embed forms on SharePoint pages, and permission-aware visibility to control who sees what. It supports separate New/Edit/Display forms for the same list.
- Virto Form Designer for SharePoint on-premises (web part). Similar visual design for server editions (2013/2016/2019/SE), with deeper customization through built-in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript editors, plus distinct New/Edit/Display views.
Core features and benefits
Use these capabilities to design quickly, guide users clearly, and keep forms consistent at scale. Here’s what teams rely on most day to day.
- Drag-and-drop form building. Arrange fields and controls without code; start from the list schema you already have.
- Layout and structure controls. Use tabs and accordions to break long forms into sections; apply templates and custom layouts to keep forms consistent.
- Conditional logic. Show or hide fields based on user input so each person only sees what’s relevant.
- SharePoint-native storage and security. Forms write directly to SharePoint lists; when embedded on a site, they respect SharePoint permissions so you can limit field visibility by audience.
- Separate forms for each mode. Design different experiences for New, Edit, and Display to simplify data entry and reading.
- Deep customization on-premises. For server deployments, designers can fine-tune with HTML/CSS/JS when branding or behavior needs go beyond point-and-click.
- Available via Microsoft’s marketplace. The Microsoft 365 app is listed on AppSource, highlighting configurable list forms and no-code design.
Quick scenario: hr onboarding in minutes, not days
An HR manager needs a multi-section onboarding form with conditional fields (e.g., show equipment requests only for full-time hires), department lookups, required policy acknowledgements, and a clean read-only view for managers.
With Virto Form Designer, they can:
- Start from the “New” form for the onboarding list;
- Drag in fields and group them into tabs (Profile, Hardware, Access, Policies);
- Add rules so Hardware appears only if “Employment type = Full-time”;
- Publish the form and embed it on the HR site.
The result is a branded, role-aware form connected to the SharePoint list—without writing code or building a full Power Apps project.
If you’re standardizing forms across many teams, this approach shortens build time and reduces ongoing maintenance because your data, security, and lifecycle remain inside SharePoint while the form layer stays configurable.
Best Practices for Creating Forms SharePoint
Good forms don’t happen by accident—they’re planned, tested, and maintained. Use these practical guidelines to create forms that people actually complete and that your organization can rely on.
Define the purpose of the form upfront
Start by writing one sentence that answers: What decision or process will this form drive? Then list only the data needed to support that outcome.
- Examples:
- HR: collect vacation requests with dates, coverage plan, and manager approval.
- IT: collect support requests with category, impact, attachments, and contact.
- Projects: collect task completion reports with status, blockers, and time spent.
A clear purpose prevents field bloat, keeps the experience focused, and helps you plan the downstream workflow (approvals, notifications, dashboards).

Use ready-made solutions and templates
Pick the fastest path that still meets requirements.
- Microsoft Forms for quick surveys and questionnaires you can embed on a SharePoint page.
- Virto Form Designer for codeless, drag-and-drop customization—ideal when you need richer layouts, rules, and reuse across departments (available for SharePoint Online and on-premises).
Using proven tools shortens build time, simplifies maintenance, and reduces dependence on developers.
Keep the interface simple
People abandon long, confusing forms. Design for clarity and speed.
- Minimize fields—ask only for what you’ll use.
- Group inputs into logical blocks (e.g., general info → details → attachments).
- Add concise help text and examples to reduce errors.
- Use conditional fields so respondents see only what’s relevant.
- Prefer familiar controls (choice, date, person picker) over free-text.
Configure access rights and security
Make sure the right people can submit, view, and edit.
- Limit who can see sensitive fields (e.g., salary, PII) and who can edit submitted items.
- Examples: HR questionnaires visible to HR and managers; IT tickets visible to the requester and support staff.
- Apply SharePoint permissions at the list, folder, or item level as needed, and avoid granting broad edit rights by default.

Integrate forms with workflows
A form shouldn’t be a dead end—it should trigger action.
- Power Automate: send notifications, start approvals, create tasks, or post updates in Teams based on form submissions.
- Virto Workflow: build richer automations and link forms to other SharePoint processes when you need more advanced routing.
- Example: a vacation request submission automatically routes to the manager, updates a shared calendar, and emails the requester when approved.
Test the form before launch
Run a short pilot with real users.
- Verify every field, rule, and validation.
- Confirm the form works on mobile and in your supported browsers.
- Submit sample entries and follow them through the entire workflow—notifications, approvals, and reporting.
- Gather feedback on clarity and time to complete, then refine.
Document and train employees
Lightweight enablement goes a long way.
- Publish a one-page how-to with screenshots (in SharePoint or PDF).
- Document who owns the form, how to request changes, and where to find help.
- Train key staff (HR, IT, project leads) so they can answer common questions and maintain basic settings.
Recommended strategy
- Use simple solutions for quick tasks: Microsoft Forms or a basic list form gets you live fast.
- Adopt Virto Form Designer for enterprise scenarios: when you need flexible layouts, conditional logic, and scalable governance across teams—without building and maintaining custom apps, Virto’s no-code designer is typically the most efficient path.
Conclusion on How to Create a Form in SharePoint
SharePoint gives you multiple paths to build forms—everything from basic list forms to Microsoft Forms, Power Apps, and third-party designers. The best choice depends on what you’re trying to achieve:
- Simple scenarios: standard list or library forms are fast to set up and save data directly to SharePoint.
- Surveys and quick feedback: Microsoft Forms embeds neatly on SharePoint pages and is perfect for polls and questionnaires.
- Rich, bespoke experiences: Power Apps delivers full control over layout and logic, with deep integrations across Microsoft 365 and external systems.
- Enterprise speed without coding: when you need flexibility, strong UX, and scale—without a development project—ready-made tools such as Virto Form Designer are often the most efficient option.
If your priority is flexibility and speed without engineering effort, Virto Form Designer is a practical choice. You can schedule a demo or install a free trial of the apps directly from our site to see how quickly your team can ship production-ready forms.
For further reading and how-to guidance:
- Official Microsoft resources:
- Relevant pages:
- SharePoint Forms Overview and Tips
- How to Create and Manage a SharePoint Document Library
- Optimize Your Business with SharePoint Document Management
- How to Create and Optimize SharePoint Page: A Complete Guide
- SharePoint Workflows: How to Create and Use Them
- SharePoint Automation: Best Practices, Use Cases and Recommended Tools








