Update to the new solution for syncing forms responses to Excel

We’re excited to announce that we have a new and improved solution for syncing form responses to Excel with better stability and performance! Previously, some Forms supported an older version of Live Data Sync with Excel. This older solution will be phased out and fully replaced by the new solution by January 13, 2025.

There are two types of data synchronization in previous versions:

• Forms created in OneDrive for Business and Excel for web

Forms created in Excel for the web

• Group forms created using SharePoint Online, Teams, and M365 Groups.

Group form created with SharePoint Online

After the previous data synchronization solution is replaced, the existing Excel workbook and its data will remain intact, but will not be updated with new responses. To ensure that the workbook continues to receive new form responses, you must update the workbook by following the steps below.

Do I need to upgrade my workbooks on the web to use the new version of Data Sync?

When you open an Excel workbook that uses the old sync solution, a window will appear on the right asking you to update the workbook to continue syncing the new responses. Click the “Update Sync” button to start the update process. This process cannot be reversed.
Upgrade to new Forms data synchronization via the web

Upgrade to new Forms data synchronization via the web

Using the new sync solution, a new sheet is created in the same workbook linked to the form.

You can see that all the previous responses are synced back to this new sheet, and all the new responses are synced to this sheet as well. You can still see the previous data in your workbook, but it will no longer be updated.

When the update is complete, a green success bar will appear at the top of the page. The right pane will also change to confirm that the update was successful.

Updated with new solutions

How do I upgrade to the new version of Data Sync via the Forms website?

When you open a form using the previous sync solution, a pop-up will appear asking you to update the workbook. Click ‘Update sync in Excel’ to open the workbook and start the sync process.

Upgrade to new Forms data sync
For more details and helpful Q&A, read the full article on the Forms blog site. Here >.