How to make pre-filled fields non-editable or hidden in Microsoft Forms

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Posted on by JP-12020723-0

Hi!

Is there a way to either make prefiller fields non editable or hidden in a Microsoft Forms? Because I have a pre-filled field that i need to bring into an excel in the next step (to make sure i can connect the answers to a number) but i would prefer if this field isnt visible as a regular question. I heard that it might be possible to use power automate but i dont know.

Thanks!

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Using flows

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Ravi-Prajapati 416 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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Microsoft Forms does not have a built-in feature to make pre-filled fields non-editable or hidden, but you can achieve this using Power Automate. Here are two possible solutions:

💡 Solution 1: Pre-Fill a Hidden Field Using Power Automate

You can pre-fill a field and pass it to Excel without displaying it in the form.

🛠 Steps:

Create a Microsoft Form

Do not add the pre-filled field in the form itself.

Use Power Automate to Store the Pre-Filled Data

In Power Automate, create a new flow triggered by "When a new response is submitted" (Microsoft Forms).

Add a variable or Compose action to store the pre-filled value (like an ID or reference number).

Get the Form responses and append the pre-filled value before adding the data to Excel.

Save to Excel (Including the Hidden Value)

Use "Add a row to a table" action in Power Automate to insert both the form responses and your hidden field.

✔️ Benefit: The field remains invisible in the form, but the data is still passed to Excel.

💡 Solution 2: Pre-Fill & Lock a Field with a Custom Form

If you must display the field but prevent editing, consider a workaround:

Use a SharePoint or Power Apps Form Instead of Microsoft Forms

Power Apps allows you to create forms where pre-filled fields can be locked (read-only).

Pass Pre-Filled Data via a URL in Microsoft Forms

You can pre-fill a field using a URL parameter like this:

bash

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=YOUR_FORM_ID&fieldname=12345

However, the user can still edit it unless you use Power Automate to overwrite it.

⏩ Recommended Approach

If you just need to link responses to a number without displaying it, use Solution 1 (Power Automate).
If users must see the field but not edit it, use Solution 2 (Power Apps/SharePoint forms).

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trice602 15,404 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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Hi,

It is currently not possible, and I have been waiting for this feature too! From my experience, there really isn't an effective workaround here.

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⭐ If this was helpful, please like and mark as a verified answer to help others find this too!

Always glad to help! 💯💯💯💯💯

Tom

Follow me on LinkedIn - Thomas Rice, PMP | LinkedIn

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David_MA 12,982 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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In your form, go to the question before the one you want to skip, and choose branching. Then just set up the question before it to go the question after it:

This will skip question 4. Just be sure you generate the pre-filled the link BEFORE configuring the branching. When you view the responses in MS forms, you will not see the question, but the data will be returned in the response and the spreadsheet.

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trice602 15,404 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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Hey there!

I am following up on this post how to make pre-filled fields non-editable or hidden in microsoft forms in this category using flows from 02/12/2025. I know the post is a little older, but it is a common question here so wanted to take a moment and follow-up. I see there have been 3 replies and 1 likes and asking if your question has been answered. If so, please help the community out by completing one or more of the following actions! Thanks in advance!

Easy as 1-2-3 ‼️💯⭐😎🆒🙏

1) Mark a reply as a verified answer - this is essential, and it helps others with the same general question find this thread. ✅

2) You can also mark one of more replies as a verified answer. Please take a moment and give the author credit for volunteering their time. ✌️

3) Like one or more replies. Kudos always greatly appreciated! 👍

Pro tip: if you found your own solution or workaround, feel free to add a reply to your own post and mark it as the solution too! The goal is to get this thread marked with a verified answer by anyone that finds one or more replies helpful!

Again, thanks in advance for reading and responding, always glad to help! Tom 💯💯💯💯💯

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trice602 15,404 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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If I can help with anything else please let me know or tag me in a future post, I enjoy reading and answering questions. Always glad to help! Tom 💯💯💯💯💯

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WCarterMVUSD 91 on at

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David, I tried this method however the form response for the "hidden" question that is bypassed via branching does not return an answer in the responses. Any suggestions other on how to have hidden data eg for reference tracking purposes? Thank you!

1 people found this reply helpful.

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David_MA 12,982 Super User 2025 Season 2 on at

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I understand what you are asking now. When I initially read your post, I was thinking of SharePoint fields where you can have a default value. You're referring to the prefilled response URL (Pre-fill Responses in Your Microsoft Forms | Microsoft Community Hub). When using that feature, if you skip the question with branching, you are correct, no response is returned. I don't know how to achieve what you are asking in that case.

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