Have you ever needed to pass a survey on to a new team member, bring several projects together under one account or simply update the survey owner?
Transferring a survey in SurveyMonkey is a permanent way to move a survey and all its collected data to a new owner. This process makes managing survey ownership simple, but it's important to know how it differs from copying a survey or simply sharing access so you can pick the right option for your needs.
6 steps to transfer a survey in SurveyMonkey
Transferring a survey from one SurveyMonkey account to another is straightforward. Here’s how to do it:
- Go to "My Surveys": Log in to the SurveyMonkey account that currently owns the survey you wish to transfer.
- Select the survey: On your "My Surveys" page, locate the survey you want to transfer.
- Start the transfer: Click the "Transfer" option under the "Actions" column for that survey.
- Enter the destination username: A pop-up will appear. Enter the username of the paid account you wish to transfer the survey to.
- Choose your transfer option: You’ll see two options:
- Transfer copy of questions only: This option transfers just the survey design.
- Transfer entire survey: This option transfers the survey along with all its collected data.
- Confirm the transfer: After choosing your preferred option, a confirmation box will appear to finalise the action. The transfer will then be completed, and the survey will appear in the destination account.
Understanding transfer vs. copy vs. share
When working with surveys, it’s essential to know the difference between three key functions: transfer, copy and share. Keep these points in mind before transferring a survey in SurveyMonkey.
| Action | When to use it | |
| Transfer | This action permanently moves a survey and all of its associated data (responses, collectors and analysis) from one account to another. Once transferred, the survey is no longer accessible in the original account. | Use "transfer" when you need to hand over full ownership and all survey data to another user or account, for example, when a project is changing hands or a team member is leaving. |
| Copy | This function creates a new, blank version of a survey’s design. It does not include any of the original survey’s collected responses, collectors, or data. | Use "copy" when you want to create a new survey with the same structure or questions as an existing one but need to collect new data. |
| Share | This feature allows another user to collaborate on a survey without giving them ownership. You can grant different levels of access, such as "edit," "analyse," or "view." | Use "share" when collaborating with others on a single survey, such as allowing a colleague to review or edit questions or enabling a manager to view the results. |
Key considerations before you transfer a survey
Before you transfer a survey in SurveyMonkey, keep a few important points in mind to make sure the process goes smoothly and successfully.
Confirm ownership and data transfer
Transferring an entire survey moves ownership, along with all response data, collectors and settings, to the new account. Be sure you’re ready to give up access to this data, as it will no longer be available in your original account.
Check permissions and plan of destination account
The destination account must be a paid account to receive a transferred survey. Also, check that the destination account’s plan level supports all the features used in your survey (such as advanced logic or specific question types).
Acknowledge the permanence of the transfer
Once a survey has been transferred, this action is permanent and cannot be reversed.
Best practices for a smooth survey transfer
For a seamless transfer, follow these best practices:
- Communicate with the recipient beforehand to confirm they’re ready to receive the survey and have the correct permissions.
- Back up any critical data if needed, as the original data will move with the transfer.
- Finalise all survey edits before starting the transfer. Once the survey is in the new account, you'll need to work with the new owner to make further changes.
- Notify any collaborators or stakeholders about the transfer. This makes sure everyone knows where to find the survey and its results.
- Confirm that the destination account has a compatible plan that supports all the survey’s features to prevent any loss of functionality.
Simplify your survey transfers with SurveyMonkey
Transferring surveys in SurveyMonkey is quick and straightforward, helping you streamline workflows and manage projects efficiently.
Whether you’re passing a project to a new team member or bringing multiple surveys into one account, the process makes sure all your data and settings are transferred with the survey.
Get started today and make managing and sharing survey ownership easier than ever.
