07-How to set a text box and insert default text into it

L

Ladybug214

In 2003 version, you could insert a text box and then place in the text box a
"default" text for the text. Example -- you want the user of the document to
use the F11 to got from text box to text box and the normal text for the box
is the year. You defaulted the year in the box, it still stopped you when
going through the document and you could change to a different year as
needed. How do you do that in 2007 Word?
 
J

Jay Freedman

Ladybug214 said:
In 2003 version, you could insert a text box and then place in the
text box a "default" text for the text. Example -- you want the user
of the document to use the F11 to got from text box to text box and
the normal text for the box is the year. You defaulted the year in
the box, it still stopped you when going through the document and you
could change to a different year as needed. How do you do that in
2007 Word?

First a warning: The situation you describe in Word 2003 is not how you're
supposed to use it. The "text box" is actually a text form field (a real
text box, created by Insert > Text Box, is something entirely different).
The F11 key works to move from one form field to another only when the
document is _not_ protected and is still being designed -- it runs the
NextField command, which will go to the next field of any kind, including
cross-references, page fields, etc. When the document is protected for
forms, the Tab key moves through the form fields _only_, and the F11 key
does nothing. Read http://www.computorcompanion.com/LPMArticle.asp?ID=22 for
a tutorial on protected forms.

You may want to continue doing what you have done before. It won't stop
working -- just realize that you're deliberately misusing the feature.

In Word 2007, you can continue to use form fields, which are now considered
"legacy" (old-fashioned). First go to Office button > Word Options > Popular
and check the option to display the Developer tab of the ribbon. Click that
tab, and then click the Legacy Tools button in the Controls group (fourth
button in the second row). The buttons for inserting form fields are in the
first row of the dropdown. After inserting a text form field, double-click
it (or click the Properties button) to open the dialog where you can set the
default text.

--
Regards,
Jay Freedman
Microsoft Word MVP
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