Getting Started

Set up FormScheduler in six steps.

Tip: Use a test form first. Verify open/close behavior before applying schedules to a production form.
1

Install the add-on

  1. Open your Google Form in edit mode.
  2. Click the puzzle-piece Add-ons menu → Get add-ons.
  3. Search for FormScheduler and install it from the Marketplace.
  4. Once installed, open the sidebar from Add-ons → FormScheduler → Open FormScheduler.
2

Authorize and link your account

  1. Grant the requested scopes during first-run authorization. FormScheduler asks for the minimum permissions it needs.
  2. Confirm your subscription tier appears in the Settings tab of the sidebar.
  3. If your plan looks wrong, click Refresh license in the license modal.
Why these permissions? FormScheduler needs access to the current form, the ability to manage triggers, and (for Pro users) calendar access. See the Permissions page for details.
3

Create your first schedule

  1. In the sidebar, switch to the Schedules tab.
  2. Click Add Schedule.
  3. Choose a type:
    • Close at date/time — for a hard deadline.
    • Close after N responses — for limited seats.
  4. Fill in the details and click Save.
  5. Verify the schedule appears in the list with the correct summary.
Note: Free-tier users can use Close at date/time and Close after N responses. Pro users unlock recurring windows, calendar-driven schedules, and global caps.
4

Install background triggers

  1. Switch to the Settings tab.
  2. Under Background scheduler, click Install.
  3. Confirm the status changes to Installed.
  4. Use Run now on the Overview tab to force an immediate evaluation and verify everything works.
How often does it run? The background trigger checks your schedules every 5 minutes. Because Apps Script triggers run in a ±60 minute window, exact second-level timing is not guaranteed.
5

Test behavior

  1. Submit one test response to your form.
  2. Click Run now and check the toast notification. It tells you exactly what decision FormScheduler made.
  3. Click Logs to review the execution history.
  4. If you have a response-cap schedule, verify the count increases after each submission.
6

Roll out to production

  1. Copy your tested schedules to your real form, or recreate them there.
  2. Set a custom closed-form message in Settings so respondents know why the form is closed.
  3. Double-check your timezone in Settings if your local time differs from the script default.
  4. Keep a manual override plan: you can always open or close the form directly in Google Forms if needed.

Next: explore all schedule types and when to use each.

Open Schedule Types