Adding Text to Form Fields

[Frustrated]

I used to be able to add text to a form field without having to click
"protect form" in a Word 2003 document. This would allow me to add text to
the form fields and also change other text outside of the fields without
having to constantly protect and unprotect the document. I was also able to
instantly tab to the next form field (if needed). Now, I'm unable to add
text to a form field unless I protect the document, but protecting the
document will not allow me to change text outside of the form fields unless
the document is unlocked. What happened? Is there a way to change Word so
that I can use the original format?

Thanks for your help...

 

[Graham Mayor]

Form fields always required the form to be protected.
You could perhaps insert an unprotected section for free text entry - or
maybe you were thinking of macrobutton fields?
http://www.gmayor.com/Macrobutton.htm

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Graham Mayor - Word MVP


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[Frustrated]

Graham,

Thank you for the reply and the information. I wasn't using macrobutton
fields. When I attempt to created an unprotected section, Word will not
allow me to add text into the field. I'll click on the field, but my text
appears before the gray box. Last time, this wasn't a problem, and the gray
box would disappear once I typed in text. I'm basically using the form
fields for adding test scores into a psychological report, but I also need to
type in numerous paragraphs for background information and summaries of
results. Any suggestions?

Thanks again

 

[Jay Freedman]

Don't try to use form fields in unprotected sections or in an unprotected
document. They need to be protected to work.

If you make an unprotected section, as Graham suggested, don't put fields
there. You might find that a table works for inserting aligned text. Or you
can place macrobutton fields there, as explained in Graham's article (did
you bother to read it?). But NOT form fields!

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Regards,
Jay Freedman
Microsoft Word MVP
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