PaperSurvey can only process surveys created within our platform. This requirement exists because our recognition system relies on specialized formatting and unique identifiers that are automatically embedded into every survey during the design process.
Why surveys must be created in PaperSurvey
Our recognition system depends on specific elements that are added to every survey automatically:
- Corner marks for page alignment
- Unique barcodes for survey identification
- Precise checkbox positioning for accurate detection
- Optimized spacing for handwriting recognition
These elements cannot be retroactively added to existing survey designs from other platforms.
What you can do instead
Starting fresh
If you have not collected any responses yet, you can recreate your survey in PaperSurvey:
- Use our form builder to match your original design
- Import questions from CSV if you have many items
- Customize the layout to match your needs
- Generate new printable PDFs with proper formatting
Already collected responses?
If you have already collected paper responses using another platform's survey, manual data entry may be your only option. Consider using PaperSurvey for future survey rounds to benefit from automated processing.
Benefits of using PaperSurvey from the start
- Automatic processing saves hours of manual entry
- Built-in duplicate detection prevents data errors
- Real-time verification catches issues early
- Multiple export formats including CSV, Excel, and SPSS