> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.gowindmill.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Respond to a pulse

> Find your pulse surveys and answer them in Slack with Windy or on the web form.

When someone sends you a pulse, you can answer in a Slack chat with Windy or on the web form in Windmill. Your answers stay in sync, so you can start in one place and finish in the other.

## Find your pulses

* **Slack:** Windy sends you a direct message when the pulse starts.
* **Home:** The **Pulse** section lists pulse surveys waiting for your response.
* **Pulse > To-dos:** Lists every pulse you have not submitted, with who sent it and when it is due. Select **Open** to go to the web form.

Past-due pulses stay in **To-dos** for 14 days after the deadline. After you submit, the pulse moves to **Pulse > Responses**.

## Answer in Slack

Windy opens the chat with a short message, then asks the first question in the thread. Reply in the thread to answer.

* **Questions:** Windy asks each question word for word, in order. Windy might ask up to two follow-up questions to understand your answer.
* **Choices:** For choice, scale, and rating questions, reply with your choice or number.
* **Skips:** You can skip an optional question. Say "skip" or that you would rather not answer.
* **Saving:** Windy saves your answers as private drafts while you talk.
* **Submitting:** When every question is answered or skipped, and every required question has an answer, Windy submits your response. Windy does not ask for separate permission.

If you decline a required question, Windy stops the chat. Your answers stay private as drafts, and Windy sends you a link to the web form. You can finish there when you are ready.

To keep your answers private instead of submitting, tell Windy. Windy does not submit because of a reminder or a deadline.

## Answer on the web form

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the pulse">
    Open the pulse from Home, from **Pulse > To-dos**, or from the link Windy sends you. The page shows when it was sent and when it is due.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check who can see your response">
    A banner at the top shows who can view your response. For an anonymous pulse, it says your individual responses stay anonymous.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Answer the questions">
    Windmill saves your answers as you go. Required questions must have an answer before you can submit.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Submit">
    You see **Response submitted**. Select **View response** to open it again.
  </Step>
</Steps>

If you own the pulse, the banner says **You manage this pulse.** Select **Manage pulse** to open the pulse page.

## Pulses you must complete in Windmill

An owner can set a pulse to **Platform only**. For these pulses, Windy still sends you a Slack message with a link, but you must answer on the web form.

Windy cannot save or submit answers for a Platform only pulse. You can still ask Windy to explain a question or to help you think through your answer. Then add your answer on the web form.

## Next steps

* To edit, resubmit, or withdraw a response, see [Drafts, submissions, and withdrawals](/features/pulse-surveys/drafts-submissions-and-withdrawals).
* To learn who can see your answers, see [Anonymity and privacy](/features/pulse-surveys/anonymity-and-privacy).

## FAQs

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Can I answer in Windmill instead of Slack?">
    Yes. Open the pulse from **Pulse > To-dos** or from the **Pulse** section on Home. Your Slack answers and web form answers stay in sync.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I still answer after the deadline?">
    Yes. Windmill does not block late answers. But reports sent at the deadline do not include them.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>