Closing a survey in SurveyMonkey may seem like a simple administrative task, but doing it incorrectly can lead to lost responses, disrupted reporting, or confusion among stakeholders. Whether you are ending a customer feedback campaign, academic research survey, or employee engagement questionnaire, it is crucial to follow a deliberate process. This guide explains how to properly close a SurveyMonkey survey on both desktop and mobile devices without losing valuable data, and how to preserve, export, and secure your responses for future use.
TL;DR: To close a survey in SurveyMonkey without losing data, pause or close the survey from the “Collect Responses” tab rather than deleting it. Always export your responses and confirm data integrity before making permanent changes. On mobile, use the same workflow via your browser, ensuring you save or download responses beforehand. Never delete a collector or survey unless you are certain all data has been backed up.
Why Properly Closing a Survey Matters
When you close a survey improperly—especially by deleting it or its response collector—you risk permanently losing access to responses, analytics, and reporting features. Although SurveyMonkey stores completed responses until manually deleted, actions like removing collectors can prevent further access to incoming responses and may disrupt shared links.
Closing a survey correctly ensures:
- All completed responses are safely stored
- No new submissions are accepted after your deadline
- Your reporting and analytics remain intact
- You maintain compliance with data retention policies
- You can export and archive data for long-term storage
Understanding the difference between pausing, closing, and deleting is key to preserving your data.
Understanding Key SurveyMonkey Terms
Before proceeding, it is important to clarify three frequently confused actions:
- Pause Responses: Temporarily stop collecting new responses while keeping the survey active.
- Close Collector: Permanently stop one specific distribution method (such as a web link or email collector).
- Delete Survey or Collector: Remove the survey or its distribution method entirely, which may result in data loss.
Best practice: Always pause or close collectors instead of deleting them unless you have exported all data and confirmed backups.
How to Close a Survey on Desktop (Step-by-Step)
Most users manage their surveys through a desktop browser, where full reporting and export tools are available.
Image not found in postmetaStep 1: Log Into Your SurveyMonkey Account
Navigate to your dashboard and locate the specific survey you wish to close.
Step 2: Go to the “Collect Responses” Tab
This tab shows all active collectors (Web Link, Email Invitation, Embedded Survey, etc.). Each collector operates independently. If you shared your survey via multiple methods, you must manage each collector separately.
Step 3: Close or Pause the Collector
Next to the active collector:
- Click the toggle to switch from Open to Closed, or
- Select options and choose Close Collector
This immediately prevents new submissions while preserving all existing responses.
Step 4: Verify That Responses Are Intact
Go to the Analyze Results tab and confirm:
- Total response count matches expectations
- No reports are missing
- Filtered views display correctly
This verification step ensures no interruption occurred during closure.
Step 5: Export Your Data (Recommended)
Even though SurveyMonkey stores your responses, exporting ensures you have an independent backup.
From the Analyze Results section:
- Select Export
- Choose format (CSV, XLS, PDF, SPSS)
- Download and securely store the file
Important: If compliance or organizational policy requires archival, store the file in a secured system consistent with your data governance policies.
How to Close a Survey on Mobile (Browser-Based Method)
SurveyMonkey’s mobile app offers limited administrative functionality, so closing surveys is typically done via a mobile browser.
Image not found in postmetaStep 1: Log In Through Your Mobile Browser
Use Chrome, Safari, or another reliable mobile browser and access the desktop version if necessary.
Step 2: Navigate to “Collect Responses”
Locate the survey and tap into the collector you wish to manage.
Step 3: Toggle Collector Status
Switch the collector from Open to Closed. Confirm your choice if prompted.
Step 4: Confirm Closure
Return to the collector list and ensure its status now shows Closed.
Step 5: Export Responses Later on Desktop (Preferred)
While basic exports can sometimes be initiated on mobile, it is strongly recommended to perform full exports via desktop to avoid formatting issues.
Tip: Avoid closing surveys from unstable mobile connections to prevent incomplete syncs.
What Not to Do When Closing a Survey
Mistakes during closure often lead to unnecessary stress or preventable data loss.
Avoid the following:
- Deleting the survey before exporting responses
- Deleting collectors without reviewing response sources
- Assuming pausing automatically exports data
- Closing the wrong collector when using multiple links
- Removing team members before confirming shared exports
Always review your dashboard carefully before taking irreversible steps.
Best Practices for Data Preservation
Professionals managing high-stakes surveys—such as HR, healthcare research, or academic studies—should implement a structured closure checklist.
Data Preservation Checklist
- Confirm response totals across collectors
- Download raw data exports in at least one editable format (CSV or XLS)
- Download summary reports in PDF for presentation use
- Store backup copies in secure cloud storage
- Document closure date for compliance tracking
If your organization operates under GDPR, HIPAA, or similar regulations, verify retention timelines before deleting any data.
Pausing vs. Closing: Which Should You Choose?
In many cases, pausing is a safer interim solution than fully closing a collector.
Pause if:
- You may reopen the survey later
- You are reviewing preliminary data
- You need temporary maintenance
Close if:
- The collection period has ended permanently
- The survey was time-bound
- You are preparing final reports
Pausing provides flexibility without risking misuse of survey links.
What Happens After You Close a Survey?
Closing a collector does not delete the survey or its responses. Instead:
- Links stop accepting new submissions
- Existing responses remain accessible
- Reports and analytics continue functioning
- You may reopen the collector if needed
This structure is designed to protect data integrity.
When Should You Delete a Survey?
Deletion should only occur when:
- All data has been exported and verified
- Retention requirements have expired
- The survey is obsolete and unnecessary
- Data privacy policies require permanent removal
Remember, deleting a survey moves it to trash, but permanent deletion may make recovery impossible depending on account settings and time limits.
Common Troubleshooting Issues
Problem: Responses still coming in after closure.
Solution: Check for additional active collectors or embedded links.
Problem: Export option unavailable.
Solution: Confirm subscription level supports exports.
Problem: Wrong survey closed.
Solution: Reopen collector immediately if no deletion occurred.
Staying methodical reduces the chance of irreversible mistakes.
Final Thoughts
Closing a survey in SurveyMonkey is more than clicking a single button. It requires awareness of collectors, response storage, exporting procedures, and organizational compliance needs. Whether managing surveys from your desktop or via a mobile browser, the core principle remains consistent: pause or close thoughtfully, export responsibly, and never delete without backup.
A systematic approach ensures your research, feedback, and analytics efforts remain secure and usable long after collection ends. By following the steps in this guide, you can confidently close your SurveyMonkey surveys without risking data loss—protecting both your insights and your reputation.