Automations: Collect information using a simple form

What you'll learn in ten minutes or less: How to create a simple form to collect ideas, feedback or requests from colleagues in Slack. Plus, keep responses organised by automatically adding them to a Google Sheet!

Go for it!

Step 1: Start with a workflow template

1. From your desktop, hover over   More in the tab bar.
2. Select   Automations.
3. Click   Templates, then select the Collect information template.
4. Click the Use template button.

Step 2: Edit your form

1. Click the   pencil icon next to Collect info in a form.
2. Give your form a title.
3. Click the   pencil icon beside each question to edit or delete it. Click Add question to add to your form. Use the   up and   down arrows to change the order. If you like, click Preview form to see how it'll look.
4. Click on Save.

Step 3: Share responses automatically

The template's set up to send an automated message to the channel where the workflow was used. The message mentions the person who filled out the form and includes their response. You can customise this message, if you like.

1. To customise the message, click the   pencil icon next to Send a message to...
2. Click the drop-down menu if you'd like to send the message to a different channel.
3. Click the message field to edit the message. Select   Insert a variable below the message field to add information to the message such as responses to additional questions that you may have added to the form.
4. Click on Save.

Optional (but useful) step: Add responses to a Google Sheet

Responses that are collected using the form can be automatically sent to a Google Sheet. This is useful if you want to organise information collected from the form using a spreadsheet.

1. Click   Add step near the bottom of the window to open the step library.
2. Select Google Sheets from the list.
3. Select Add to spreadsheet and follow the prompts to connect your Google Account if you haven’t already.
4. Click the dropdown to select an existing spreadsheet or create a new one, then map the values to columns in the spreadsheet.
5. Click on Save.

Step 4: Finish up

1. Click Finish up, then give your workflow a name and click Next.
2. Add workflow managers and edit permissions if you’d like to, then click Publish.
3. Click Copy link.

Your workflow is ready to use! Share the workflow link so that people can access your form. To learn more about workflows and to find help, click the   question mark icon in Slack.