Adding a Text Field to a Form in Word

In the last post, we looked at how to create a form. After you have saved your form as a template and laid out your table, you can begin adding form fields to your form. The form field tools are located on the Controls group of the Developer Ribbon. If you are working in Compatibility Mode – that is to say, your document is saved in an earlier version of Word – you will only be able to choose from the Legacy Tools.

There are several types of form fields that you can add to a form. Some of the more common ones include:

• Rich Text or Text box – a fill-in-the-blank box into which a user enters text.
• Picture – Inserts a placeholder where you can click to insert a picture
• Check-box – User selects an option by clicking into a box.
• Combo Box – Allows you to choose from a list of choices or to add additional choices.
• Drop-down list – Allows you to limit the user’s entry to a specific choice. User selects desired choice from a list of valid entries.
• Date Picker – Allows you to choose a date from a pop-up calendar
• Building Block Gallery – Allows you to insert a Quick Part control

Control Group

Once you have inserted your form field, you can set additional options. For instance, you could set your text field to not allow any more than 4 characters or to allow only valid date entries. To set form field options, click the Properties button on the Controls group and the appropriate form field dialog box will display. From there, you can set the desired options. An example of the Text Form Field Dialog box is below.

Text Form Field Options

To Add a Text Form Field

1. Set the insertion point where you wish to insert the form field.
2. Click the Legacy Tools button on the Controls group and click the Text Box Tool.
3. Click the Properties button to set additional options.
4. Select any additional options from the Text Form Field Options dialog box.
5. Click OK.

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• Adding a Drop-Down List Field to a Form in Word
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• Create a Form in Word
• Creating a PivotTable Form in Access
• Using Calculated Fields in Tables
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Tagged as: Microsoft Office Tips, Word Tips