Cannot import or access a Google source
Resolve source-type, Google-account, ownership and copy-versus-edit issues before retrying a Formesign import.
Reviewed 2026-10-30 · Formesign guides
When a source will not import, check the source type and Google account before trying a different form or creating another copy. A Forms link, a Docs document, a Sheet and a PDF use different entry paths.
Check the starting screen
| Source | Current starting point |
|---|---|
| Existing Google Form | Form signature import |
| Existing form needing a workflow | Workflow import |
| PDF document | PDF upload |
| Google Sheet | Sheet signature |
| Google Docs add-on | Follow the Google Docs guide. |
The current Document signature web upload expects a PDF. Do not paste a Docs or Sheets link into that upload control and expect it to use the add-on flow.
Confirm the account and link
- Open the source directly in Google using the account intended for setup.
- Confirm that the account can access and, where the selected action requires it, edit the source.
- Copy the complete link to the intended source. Check that it is not a link to an unrelated response spreadsheet or a different copy.
- Return to Formesign and use Browse where offered to select the source from the correct Drive account.
- Read any Google access or ownership error before proceeding.
Having a public response link does not necessarily give an account permission to edit the original form. If the source belongs to a colleague, resolve ownership or access for the path you selected.
Copy versus edit existing
The normal Forms import screen says it makes a copy. Edit my existing form is a separate choice with different consequences. Check which version you have open before repeating the setup or looking for changes in Google Forms. See copy or edit existing.
Workspace restrictions can affect Google authorization, Drive selection and service access. Give the administrator the exact error and the action being attempted; do not turn on broad sharing as a general troubleshooting step.
Confirm recovery
After resolving access, continue once and inspect the resulting form title, fields, signer role and share link. For a Sheet, confirm the selected tab. If setup still fails, contact support with the entry URL, source type, time, browser and error text. Omit access tokens and sensitive document contents from the diagnostic message.