creating a form

  • Thread starter Thread starter BorisS
  • Start date Start date
B

BorisS

I am using '07, but need to create a form that users going back some versions
could use. I need the following functionality:

1) password protection to make sure no one changes anything but the fields
(I believe this is the "protect document" feature
2) lock down all non-form features (imagine this is part of what "protect
document" does)
3) allow tabbing from form element to form element (unsure how this is
accomplished)
4) allow saving as older versions

Am I able to do the above, on an already-created document, which is saved in
'compatibility mode'?

Thanks for any insights. Realized after agonizing over creating form fields
in my adobe version of this doc, that users can only save their edits if they
have professional version of acrobat, not just reader. So I need a better
mousetrap for this one.
 
You can do all of that - the old form field tools are on the Developer
Toolbar (which you will have to activate if you have not already done so
from Word Options) in the group of legacy tools.

--
<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>
Graham Mayor - Word MVP

My web site www.gmayor.com

<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>
 
This is for Graham Mayor, but anyone who knows can answer. I created a form
in word 2007 with radio buttons, fill-in text fields, etc - but I'm having
trouble setting it up so the user can tab through the fields. Graham
indicated the Developer/Legacy Tools section can be used for this - great -
can you tell me which button command to use?

Thanks,
Larry
 
After you've clicked the Legacy Tools button, do this: Under "Legacy Forms,"
choose the kind of field that you want to insert (rest the mouse pointer on
each choice to see a brief description); for example, click Text Form Field
to insert a field where text can be inserted. Note that you will have to
protect the document before you can actually tab between the fields.

To protect the document: On the Developer tab, click Protect Document |
Restrict Formatting and Editing. In the task pane, click "Filling in forms"
(under "Editing restrictions"). Finally, press the Yes, Start Enforcing
Protection button. Type a password, if you want one.

To edit the form, use the Stop Protection button on the Restrict Editing and
Formatting pane.
 
Thanks Stefan! Now it works - for the most part. The only problem is that
usually, while tabbing through the fields, I cannot see the tab "indicator"
(in this case it seems to be a vertical black bar type character). I
tried making the fields larger on the original form but that didn't help.
Any ideas? Thanks, Larry
 
I'm not sure I understand your question... What do you mean by "tab
indicator" in this context?
 
By "tab indicator" I mean the way you can tell which field you're on as you
tab through the form. In some forms the fields turn slightly gray as you tab
past them, or they're underlined, or something - just to indicate which field
(radio button, etc) the user is currently on.
 
OK. As you've seen, Word has no good "indicator"; for example, for text form
fields, pressing Tab will just select the contents of the next field, but
the selection obviously disappears once you start typing.
 
Also, be aware that radio buttons are ActiveX controls and are not
compatible with protected forms.
 
Good point.

--
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP


Suzanne S. Barnhill said:
Also, be aware that radio buttons are ActiveX controls and are not
compatible with protected forms.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
 
I believe Suzanne was thinking of macro security, which (by default) forces
Design mode when ActiveX controls are present.
 
Back
Top