A Google sheet can have a maximum of 5 million cells.
If the response sheet of your Google form already has 5 million cells, you have 2 options to resolve the issue.
- Delete unused columns containing empty cells
- Switch to a new response sheet without losing any data
Delete empty columns in your Google sheet
To record new responses, Form Publisher must be able to record in new empty rows. If your sheet already has 5 million cells, many of which are in unused columns, you can delete the empty columns to free cells for new rows.
Procedure
- In the Google form, select the Responses tab and click the View responses in Sheets button.
- If your Google sheet contains empty columns, select them.
- Right-click the selected columns and select Delete columns.
Result
Form Publisher can continue recording new respondent submissions in your response sheet.
Change your response sheet destination
If you don't have any more unused columns with empty cells, you can switch to a new response sheet. Your data will be saved in the original response sheet and you can have any new responses recorded in the new sheet.
Procedure
- In the Google form, select the Responses tab and click the More button.
- Click Select response destination.
A Select response destination pop-up appears. - With Create a new spreadsheet selected by default, type a new name for the new response sheet.
- Click Create.
Google Form creates a copy of your original response spreadsheet.
A message at the bottom left corner appears when your new response sheet is linked to your Google form. - Click the View responses in Sheets button to open your new response sheet.
- From the new response sheet, select the data (except the column header cells), right-click and click Delete rows.
Result
Your responses sheet can now receive new data from new form submissions.
What's next
If you want to retrieve previously collected responses, simply open your old responses sheet stored in your Google Drive folder.