- #DEFINE PLACEHOLDER TEXT IN WORD HOW TO#
- #DEFINE PLACEHOLDER TEXT IN WORD PASSWORD#
- #DEFINE PLACEHOLDER TEXT IN WORD SERIES#
The first thing you should do when employing content controls in forms, or for any other purpose, is define and set properties. There are several basic steps that you can take to improve and add functionality to the basic form. Modifying and building on the basic form to create a more functional form Unfortunately any placeholder text that remains visible and displayed in the document on the screen, is also visible in a printed document. The "The click here to enter text." placeholder text is created by default when rich text and plain text content controls are created and inserted in a document.
#DEFINE PLACEHOLDER TEXT IN WORD SERIES#
You can't use the tab key to move from a checkbox to the next checkbox in a series of checkboxes or to the next control when the form is protected using traditional editing restrictions type: Filling in forms.The checkbox content controls in the basic form are not available in Word 2007.Pressing tab in the last content control does not return the focus to the first content control in the form. When you reach the last form content control, tabbing stops. Unlike with legacy forms, the tabbing sequence is not a continuous loop.I've not shown you anything, yet, that you can't do with legacy form fields! In fact, a content control form developed to the point demonstrated has several nagging shortcomings, and one serious design flaw. If a simple form like the one demonstrated is all content control forms can offer, then I wouldn't bother writing on. If a simple form like the one demonstrated above is all that you are after, then you don't need to read on. In the Restrict Formatting and Editing pane that appears, apply protection for Filling in forms and then start enforcing protection. To apply editing restrictions to the form, click Developer>Protect>Restrict Editing. I'll demonstrate the other methods and explain "albeit practically useless" later in the discussion.
#DEFINE PLACEHOLDER TEXT IN WORD PASSWORD#
This method is already familiar to users moving from legacy forms and it offers, the albeit practically useless, password protection. Unfortunately, as with legacy forms, there is no perfect, ideal method and each has its advantages and disadvantages.įor our basic form, I will use traditional document editing restrictions - Filling in forms. There are a couple of ways that you can do this with content control forms.
#DEFINE PLACEHOLDER TEXT IN WORD HOW TO#
This Microsoft Word Help & Tips page will show you how to create a functional content control form "similar" to the insurance application form example that Dian uses in part 2 of her legacy form series.īasic form with fill-in plain text and checkbox content controls Restrict Editing - Filling in formsĪs with any form, a Word content control form is supposed to maintain "form." You want the form user to input information is the spaces provided, and not be able to alter other content or your form layout. While the legacy form fields are still available through Word 2013, and several long standing content control shortcomings remain in my opinion, content controls stand poised to relegate "legacy" form fields to the dust bin of history. Note: I have a summary and a steadily growing collection of subject articles on content controls beginning here: Content Controls. Content controls continue to evolve and have been steadily expanded and enhanced as each new Office suite version is released. Microsoft introduced content controls with the release of Word 2007.
Chapman explaining their design and use beginning here: Please Fill Out This Form. There is an excellent 5 part series of articles by Dian D. Word forms using "legacy" form fields have been around since at least Word 97. call them what you will like their predecessor, the printed page with lines, Microsoft Word forms provide a structured and convenient means for the document user to input information. Online forms, protected forms, fill-in forms, electronic "e" forms.