Creating Word docs with text that doesn't move

[Martin]

Hello,

I've created a number of very simple Word docs where the recipient
completing them in Word will just keyboard the required info.

The problem that I have with the docs is that what I've input as text moves
when the recipient enters info.

For example, there's a line with the words State and ZIP on it. The words
are about 10 spaces apart. When the recipient types his two-letter state
abbreviation after the word "State", "ZIP" moves two spaces to the right.

Password protecting them didn't prevent my text from moving. Beyond trying
that, I have no idea how to "cement" my text in place.

Any help on this matter will be greatly appreciated. Thx.

Martin

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

You can't. Inserted text is going to cause your text to reflow. If you're
using spaces to separate the descriptors, you could try tabs (using custom
tab stops), but the usual approach is to use a table. For more on various
types of forms, see
http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/Customization/FillinTheBlanks.htm and especially
the forms tutorials by Dian Chapman that this article links to.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA

Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup so
all may benefit.

 

[Martin]

Thank you, Susan. Much appreciated!

Perhaps you can tell me if this is possible. I have a 72-page Excel
spreadsheet and I want to transfer its info into a Word document. I don't
need cells or whatever; I just need it in Word so that I can view all data
about each person on one page, preferably more than one person per page.

I've tried different ways of expanding or narrowing cells so that all info
about any one person will be on one page, but without success.

Is it doable?

If relevant, I have Office 2002 Pro.

Thanks in advance!

Martin

| You can't. Inserted text is going to cause your text to reflow. If you're
| using spaces to separate the descriptors, you could try tabs (using custom
| tab stops), but the usual approach is to use a table. For more on various
| types of forms, see
| http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/Customization/FillinTheBlanks.htm and especially
| the forms tutorials by Dian Chapman that this article links to.
|
| --
| Suzanne S. Barnhill
| Microsoft MVP (Word)
| Words into Type
| Fairhope, Alabama USA
|
| Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup
so
| all may benefit.
|
| | > Hello,
| >
| > I've created a number of very simple Word docs where the recipient
| > completing them in Word will just keyboard the required info.
| >
| > The problem that I have with the docs is that what I've input as text
| moves
| > when the recipient enters info.
| >
| > For example, there's a line with the words State and ZIP on it. The
words
| > are about 10 spaces apart. When the recipient types his two-letter state
| > abbreviation after the word "State", "ZIP" moves two spaces to the
right.
| >
| > Password protecting them didn't prevent my text from moving. Beyond
trying
| > that, I have no idea how to "cement" my text in place.
| >
| > Any help on this matter will be greatly appreciated. Thx.
| >
| > Martin
| >
| >
|

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

I would suggest that you use the Excel file as a mail merge data source. You
can then set up a Catalog/Directory merge. See
http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/MailMerge/CreateAMailMerge.htm

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA

Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup so
all may benefit.