How to Duplicate a Google Form That Isn't Yours

To duplicate a Google Form that isn't yours involves a few steps, ensuring you respect the intellectual property and personal privacy of the owner. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to do it the right way:

Request Access

The first step is to request access from the form owner. Many form owners do not allow direct duplication, as this may violate privacy and copyrights. To do so:

Find the Form Owner: Identify who owns the form. This could be a teacher, a colleague, or a service provider.

Contact the Owner: Reach out to the form's owner via email, Google Hangouts, or another communication platform, and ask for permission to duplicate the form. Clearly explain your need for the form and why you require a copy.

Be Courteous: Always maintain a polite tone and show your understanding of the potential inconvenience this request may cause. Respect the form owner's decision, as they have the right to deny the request.

Make a Copy

If the form owner grants you permission:

Open the Form: Go to your Google Drive and open the form you wish to duplicate.

Click on More Options: Click on the three dots (more options) in the upper right corner of the form window.

Select 'Make a Copy' or 'Duplicate': Click on the 'Make a Copy' or 'Duplicate' option. This will automatically create a copy of the form in your Google Drive under a new name.

Customize (Optional): You can rename the form and choose where to save it in your Google Drive. Also, customize the form according to your needs, such as adding or removing questions.

Using a Template

Some Google Forms can be set as templates, which makes duplication easier:

Open the Form Link: Click on the form link provided by the owner.

Check for Template Option: Look for an option to use it as a template directly from the page. Often, this option is available in the top menu or within the form editor.

Create a New Form: Click on 'Use as Template' or similar button to create a new form based on the template.

Respecting Intellectual Property

Always remember to respect intellectual property rights and privacy:

Do Not Duplicate Without Permission: Duplication without permission is illegal and against Google's terms of service.

Use Your Own Form: Create your own version of the form if you need something similar. This shows respect and originality.

By following these steps and guidelines, you can duplicate a Google Form responsibly and maintain good ethical standards.

Alternative Methods of Duplication

If you do not have access to the form and cannot get permission from the owner, another method is to copy the HTML content, but this method is not recommended:

Create a New Form: In your Google Drive, right-click on the form and select 'Copy' to create a new copy.

Download HTML: If you must, you can right-click on the form and select 'Inspect' to view the source code. Right-click on the source code and select 'Copy' (this may not always be the best option and could violate terms of service).

Create a New HTML Page: Paste the copied content into a new HTML file and save it. However, this method often results in missing elements or functionality.

It is much better to use a free template or create your own form from scratch, especially for professional or personal use:

Use Pre-made Templates: Many web platforms and design tools offer free templates for creating various forms, including Google Forms clones.

Customize and Code: Depending on your needs, you can use programming languages like Perl, JavaScript, or other back-end technologies to create a form that suits your requirements and database integration.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that you respect others' intellectual property and create forms that meet your specific needs.