Drop-Down Menu Form Field

[Karen]

Using Word 2003
I created a drop-down menu using a form field. The drop-down consists of 3
entries (14", 16" & 18")
I have the form field shading turned on. The only problem I have is that the
shading is so small. The user will have to be very precise when clicking on
the field to open the drop-down menu. I would prefer the shading be off, but
if I turn the shading off, the user will most likely not even know there's a
drop-down menu there. Is it possible to make the form field shading wider so
the user has more area for clicking or is it small because my entires don't
have many characters?
Thanks in advance, Karen

 

[Karen]

I think I just figured out why the form field shading is small. In order to
not display and entry in the field as a default, I didn't type anything as my
first drop-down items. I just hit the space bar once so the first entry would
be blank. I don't want the user to forget to choose from the drop-down. Is
there any way around this? I want the drop down to be blank, but I want it to
be wider. I would even settle for the drop-down arrow to show on the form,
but it doesn't.
HELP!
Thanks, Karen

 

[Greg Maxey]

Karen,

You can use more than one space to create a blank defualt entry. Your
dropdown arrrow should appear when you protect the form.

I think I just figured out why the form field shading is small. In
order to not display and entry in the field as a default, I didn't
type anything as my first drop-down items. I just hit the space bar
once so the first entry would be blank. I don't want the user to
forget to choose from the drop-down. Is there any way around this? I
want the drop down to be blank, but I want it to be wider. I would
even settle for the drop-down arrow to show on the form, but it
doesn't.
HELP!
Thanks, Karen

--
Greg Maxey

See my web site http://gregmaxey.mvps.org
for an eclectic collection of Word Tips.

"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the
strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them
better. The credit belongs to the man in the arena, whose face is
marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly...who knows
the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself in a
worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high
achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while
daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and
timid souls who have never known neither victory nor defeat." - TR

 

[Karen]

Thank you so much! The suggestion about the spaces worked. I still have the
problem with the drop-down arrow not showing. When I click on that form
filed, the arrow displays, when I click off of it, it disappears. I want to
to show at all times. Is this possible?
Thanks, Karen

 

[Greg Maxey]

Karen,

AFIAK, no it is not. Did you consider using something like "Click and
select value" as your defualt entry?

Thank you so much! The suggestion about the spaces worked. I still
have the problem with the drop-down arrow not showing. When I click
on that form filed, the arrow displays, when I click off of it, it
disappears. I want to to show at all times. Is this possible?
Thanks, Karen

--
Greg Maxey

See my web site http://gregmaxey.mvps.org
for an eclectic collection of Word Tips.

"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the
strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them
better. The credit belongs to the man in the arena, whose face is
marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly...who knows
the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself in a
worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high
achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while
daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and
timid souls who have never known neither victory nor defeat." - TR

 

[Karen]

Thank you so much for your help Greg. That's a good suggestion.
Have a great weekend, Karen