Editing Password protected form fields in Word 2007

[Veera]

We have created a Word document with a legacy text form field. We inserted a
word date field and protected the document allowing Filling in Forms. After
protecting the document when we try going to the form field and clicking on
back space to delete the entry we get "This is not a valid selection" message
box.

We have existing word documents in 2003 with similar form fields. We were
able to delete the entries and add new data. After converting the documents
to 2007 or create new documents in 2007 and try to delete the entries we get
the above error.

 

[macropod]

Hi Veera,

You mention a Word date field. These are not formfields and are not editable in a Section protected for forms in any version of
Word.

Any formfields into which data can be input after protection has been applied should remain editable unless there's an on-exit macro
attached to the formfield to change it's editing restrictions.

 

[Veera]

Hi Macropad,

Just for testing we used Date field. In the actual template we have merge
fields which when accessed thru' the application we have, will be populated
with actual values. The user then should be able to modify the values
populated with their own values. When they trying remove the populated value
is when they are getting the error.

Hi Veera,

You mention a Word date field. These are not formfields and are not editable in a Section protected for forms in any version of
Word.

Any formfields into which data can be input after protection has been applied should remain editable unless there's an on-exit macro
attached to the formfield to change it's editing restrictions.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]

We have created a Word document with a legacy text form field. We inserted a
word date field and protected the document allowing Filling in Forms. After
protecting the document when we try going to the form field and clicking on
back space to delete the entry we get "This is not a valid selection" message
box.

We have existing word documents in 2003 with similar form fields. We were
able to delete the entries and add new data. After converting the documents
to 2007 or create new documents in 2007 and try to delete the entries we get
the above error.

.

 

[macropod]

Hi Veera,

This is getting confusing!

Now you're introducing mergefields. Mergefields are not formfields and neither are they Date fields. Please be clear about what kind
of fields you're working with and what kind of document they're in.

Are you working with a:
1. document containing formfields, that has forms protection applied;
2. mailmerge main document;
3. mailmerge output file; or
4. standard Word document with no formfields or mergefields, but perhaps other fields (eg Date)?
If it's:
.. 1, does the document also have fields that are not formfields (eg Date fields, but not mergefields)?
.. 2 or 3, does the document also have formfields or fields that are not formfields (eg Date fields)?
If it's 1, 2 or 3 and the document also has fields that are not formfields, what kinds of fields are they and are those fields in a
protected Section of the document?
If it's 2 or 3 and the document also has formfields, what kinds of formfields are they?

Note: the addition of the 'mergeformat' switch, which Word sometimes adds to a field, does not make the field a mergefield.


--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]

Hi Macropad,

Just for testing we used Date field. In the actual template we have merge
fields which when accessed thru' the application we have, will be populated
with actual values. The user then should be able to modify the values
populated with their own values. When they trying remove the populated value
is when they are getting the error.

Hi Veera,

You mention a Word date field. These are not formfields and are not editable in a Section protected for forms in any version of
Word.

Any formfields into which data can be input after protection has been applied should remain editable unless there's an on-exit
macro
attached to the formfield to change it's editing restrictions.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]

We have created a Word document with a legacy text form field. We inserted a
word date field and protected the document allowing Filling in Forms. After
protecting the document when we try going to the form field and clicking on
back space to delete the entry we get "This is not a valid selection" message
box.

We have existing word documents in 2003 with similar form fields. We were
able to delete the entries and add new data. After converting the documents
to 2007 or create new documents in 2007 and try to delete the entries we get
the above error.

.

 

[Veera]

Hi Macropad,

Sorry for the confusion.

We have documents that contains "Text Form Field". Inside these text form
fields we add MERGEFIELD (programatically in Java using JACOB). The document
is protected allowing only editing form fields.

As part of another Java program we open the document created above and set
the values for the MERGEFIELD. The users can either use the values populated
or remove and add their own values. This we were able to do in 2003. In Word
2007 we are not able to delete the value populated and enter our another
value. It gives "This is not a valid selection" message.

Hope I am clear now.

Hi Veera,

This is getting confusing!

Now you're introducing mergefields. Mergefields are not formfields and neither are they Date fields. Please be clear about what kind
of fields you're working with and what kind of document they're in.

Are you working with a:
1. document containing formfields, that has forms protection applied;
2. mailmerge main document;
3. mailmerge output file; or
4. standard Word document with no formfields or mergefields, but perhaps other fields (eg Date)?
If it's:
.. 1, does the document also have fields that are not formfields (eg Date fields, but not mergefields)?
.. 2 or 3, does the document also have formfields or fields that are not formfields (eg Date fields)?
If it's 1, 2 or 3 and the document also has fields that are not formfields, what kinds of fields are they and are those fields in a
protected Section of the document?
If it's 2 or 3 and the document also has formfields, what kinds of formfields are they?

Note: the addition of the 'mergeformat' switch, which Word sometimes adds to a field, does not make the field a mergefield.


--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]

Hi Macropad,

Just for testing we used Date field. In the actual template we have merge
fields which when accessed thru' the application we have, will be populated
with actual values. The user then should be able to modify the values
populated with their own values. When they trying remove the populated value
is when they are getting the error.

Hi Veera,

You mention a Word date field. These are not formfields and are not editable in a Section protected for forms in any version of
Word.

Any formfields into which data can be input after protection has been applied should remain editable unless there's an on-exit
macro
attached to the formfield to change it's editing restrictions.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]


We have created a Word document with a legacy text form field. We inserted a
word date field and protected the document allowing Filling in Forms. After
protecting the document when we try going to the form field and clicking on
back space to delete the entry we get "This is not a valid selection" message
box.

We have existing word documents in 2003 with similar form fields. We were
able to delete the entries and add new data. After converting the documents
to 2007 or create new documents in 2007 and try to delete the entries we get
the above error.


.

.

 

[Graham Mayor]

Mail merge and protected forms are mutually exclusive. You *may* be able to
get around this - see http://www.gmayor.com/Form_Fields_and_Mail_Merge.htm

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


<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>

Hi Macropad,

Sorry for the confusion.

We have documents that contains "Text Form Field". Inside these text form
fields we add MERGEFIELD (programatically in Java using JACOB). The
document
is protected allowing only editing form fields.

As part of another Java program we open the document created above and set
the values for the MERGEFIELD. The users can either use the values
populated
or remove and add their own values. This we were able to do in 2003. In
Word
2007 we are not able to delete the value populated and enter our another
value. It gives "This is not a valid selection" message.

Hope I am clear now.

Hi Veera,

This is getting confusing!

Now you're introducing mergefields. Mergefields are not formfields and
neither are they Date fields. Please be clear about what kind
of fields you're working with and what kind of document they're in.

Are you working with a:
1. document containing formfields, that has forms protection applied;
2. mailmerge main document;
3. mailmerge output file; or
4. standard Word document with no formfields or mergefields, but perhaps
other fields (eg Date)?
If it's:
.. 1, does the document also have fields that are not formfields (eg Date
fields, but not mergefields)?
.. 2 or 3, does the document also have formfields or fields that are not
formfields (eg Date fields)?
If it's 1, 2 or 3 and the document also has fields that are not
formfields, what kinds of fields are they and are those fields in a
protected Section of the document?
If it's 2 or 3 and the document also has formfields, what kinds of
formfields are they?

Note: the addition of the 'mergeformat' switch, which Word sometimes adds
to a field, does not make the field a mergefield.


--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]

Hi Macropad,

Just for testing we used Date field. In the actual template we have
merge
fields which when accessed thru' the application we have, will be
populated
with actual values. The user then should be able to modify the values
populated with their own values. When they trying remove the populated
value
is when they are getting the error.

:

Hi Veera,

You mention a Word date field. These are not formfields and are not
editable in a Section protected for forms in any version of
Word.

Any formfields into which data can be input after protection has been
applied should remain editable unless there's an on-exit
macro
attached to the formfield to change it's editing restrictions.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]


We have created a Word document with a legacy text form field. We
inserted a
word date field and protected the document allowing Filling in
Forms. After
protecting the document when we try going to the form field and
clicking on
back space to delete the entry we get "This is not a valid
selection" message
box.

We have existing word documents in 2003 with similar form fields. We
were
able to delete the entries and add new data. After converting the
documents
to 2007 or create new documents in 2007 and try to delete the
entries we get
the above error.


.

.

 

[macropod]

Hi Veera,

You can't (and never have been able to) put a mergefield into a formfield. It seems to me your Java apps are trying to simulate a
mailmerge via Java code. To resolve any issues in that regard, you'll need to examine that code - it's not apparently a Word
problem, per se.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]

Hi Macropad,

Sorry for the confusion.

We have documents that contains "Text Form Field". Inside these text form
fields we add MERGEFIELD (programatically in Java using JACOB). The document
is protected allowing only editing form fields.

As part of another Java program we open the document created above and set
the values for the MERGEFIELD. The users can either use the values populated
or remove and add their own values. This we were able to do in 2003. In Word
2007 we are not able to delete the value populated and enter our another
value. It gives "This is not a valid selection" message.

Hope I am clear now.

Hi Veera,

This is getting confusing!

Now you're introducing mergefields. Mergefields are not formfields and neither are they Date fields. Please be clear about what
kind
of fields you're working with and what kind of document they're in.

Are you working with a:
1. document containing formfields, that has forms protection applied;
2. mailmerge main document;
3. mailmerge output file; or
4. standard Word document with no formfields or mergefields, but perhaps other fields (eg Date)?
If it's:
.. 1, does the document also have fields that are not formfields (eg Date fields, but not mergefields)?
.. 2 or 3, does the document also have formfields or fields that are not formfields (eg Date fields)?
If it's 1, 2 or 3 and the document also has fields that are not formfields, what kinds of fields are they and are those fields in
a
protected Section of the document?
If it's 2 or 3 and the document also has formfields, what kinds of formfields are they?

Note: the addition of the 'mergeformat' switch, which Word sometimes adds to a field, does not make the field a mergefield.


--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]

Hi Macropad,

Just for testing we used Date field. In the actual template we have merge
fields which when accessed thru' the application we have, will be populated
with actual values. The user then should be able to modify the values
populated with their own values. When they trying remove the populated value
is when they are getting the error.

:

Hi Veera,

You mention a Word date field. These are not formfields and are not editable in a Section protected for forms in any version
of
Word.

Any formfields into which data can be input after protection has been applied should remain editable unless there's an on-exit
macro
attached to the formfield to change it's editing restrictions.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]


We have created a Word document with a legacy text form field. We inserted a
word date field and protected the document allowing Filling in Forms. After
protecting the document when we try going to the form field and clicking on
back space to delete the entry we get "This is not a valid selection" message
box.

We have existing word documents in 2003 with similar form fields. We were
able to delete the entries and add new data. After converting the documents
to 2007 or create new documents in 2007 and try to delete the entries we get
the above error.


.

.

 

[Veera]

Thanks Graham. We are able to set the values in merge fields by unprortecting
th document and protecting it. But since the protection allow Editing of Form
Fields the user would like to delete the entries populated and set their own
values. While deleting is when we are getting this error.

Mail merge and protected forms are mutually exclusive. You *may* be able to
get around this - see http://www.gmayor.com/Form_Fields_and_Mail_Merge.htm

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


<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>

Hi Macropad,

Sorry for the confusion.

We have documents that contains "Text Form Field". Inside these text form
fields we add MERGEFIELD (programatically in Java using JACOB). The
document
is protected allowing only editing form fields.

As part of another Java program we open the document created above and set
the values for the MERGEFIELD. The users can either use the values
populated
or remove and add their own values. This we were able to do in 2003. In
Word
2007 we are not able to delete the value populated and enter our another
value. It gives "This is not a valid selection" message.

Hope I am clear now.

Hi Veera,

This is getting confusing!

Now you're introducing mergefields. Mergefields are not formfields and
neither are they Date fields. Please be clear about what kind
of fields you're working with and what kind of document they're in.

Are you working with a:
1. document containing formfields, that has forms protection applied;
2. mailmerge main document;
3. mailmerge output file; or
4. standard Word document with no formfields or mergefields, but perhaps
other fields (eg Date)?
If it's:
.. 1, does the document also have fields that are not formfields (eg Date
fields, but not mergefields)?
.. 2 or 3, does the document also have formfields or fields that are not
formfields (eg Date fields)?
If it's 1, 2 or 3 and the document also has fields that are not
formfields, what kinds of fields are they and are those fields in a
protected Section of the document?
If it's 2 or 3 and the document also has formfields, what kinds of
formfields are they?

Note: the addition of the 'mergeformat' switch, which Word sometimes adds
to a field, does not make the field a mergefield.


--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]


Hi Macropad,

Just for testing we used Date field. In the actual template we have
merge
fields which when accessed thru' the application we have, will be
populated
with actual values. The user then should be able to modify the values
populated with their own values. When they trying remove the populated
value
is when they are getting the error.

:

Hi Veera,

You mention a Word date field. These are not formfields and are not
editable in a Section protected for forms in any version of
Word.

Any formfields into which data can be input after protection has been
applied should remain editable unless there's an on-exit
macro
attached to the formfield to change it's editing restrictions.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]


We have created a Word document with a legacy text form field. We
inserted a
word date field and protected the document allowing Filling in
Forms. After
protecting the document when we try going to the form field and
clicking on
back space to delete the entry we get "This is not a valid
selection" message
box.

We have existing word documents in 2003 with similar form fields. We
were
able to delete the entries and add new data. After converting the
documents
to 2007 or create new documents in 2007 and try to delete the
entries we get
the above error.


.


.

.

 

[Veera]

Hi Macropod,

I could send the document with the merge field inside a text form field to
show you the problem? How should I send this?

Or

you can the steps to insert a merge field inside Text For Field.

1) In the design mode I selected Legacy Forms --> Text Form Field. This
creates a gray text form field in the document with the cursor in the end.
Move the cursor to the front. This will put the cursor outside the form
field. Now move one column to the right so that cursor is inside the field.
2) Select the Insert tab and click Quick Parts --> Field.
3) In the Field Names List select --> MergeField.
4) Enter say "Name" in the Field Name. This will create <<Name>> inside the
form field.
5) Select the Developer tab and click Protect Document. In this check Limit
formatting..., Allow only this type of editing.... and select Filling in
Forms in drop down and then click Start protection.
6) With the document protected click inside the Text Form Field so that the
cursor is in the end. Now use the backspace to delete the entry in the form
field. It will delete any empty spaces available and when it tries to the
delete the merge field we get "This is not a valid selection" message.

We were able to do this in 2003.

Thanks in advance for any help in this matter.

Hi Veera,

You can't (and never have been able to) put a mergefield into a formfield. It seems to me your Java apps are trying to simulate a
mailmerge via Java code. To resolve any issues in that regard, you'll need to examine that code - it's not apparently a Word
problem, per se.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]

Hi Macropad,

Sorry for the confusion.

We have documents that contains "Text Form Field". Inside these text form
fields we add MERGEFIELD (programatically in Java using JACOB). The document
is protected allowing only editing form fields.

As part of another Java program we open the document created above and set
the values for the MERGEFIELD. The users can either use the values populated
or remove and add their own values. This we were able to do in 2003. In Word
2007 we are not able to delete the value populated and enter our another
value. It gives "This is not a valid selection" message.

Hope I am clear now.

Hi Veera,

This is getting confusing!

Now you're introducing mergefields. Mergefields are not formfields and neither are they Date fields. Please be clear about what
kind
of fields you're working with and what kind of document they're in.

Are you working with a:
1. document containing formfields, that has forms protection applied;
2. mailmerge main document;
3. mailmerge output file; or
4. standard Word document with no formfields or mergefields, but perhaps other fields (eg Date)?
If it's:
.. 1, does the document also have fields that are not formfields (eg Date fields, but not mergefields)?
.. 2 or 3, does the document also have formfields or fields that are not formfields (eg Date fields)?
If it's 1, 2 or 3 and the document also has fields that are not formfields, what kinds of fields are they and are those fields in
a
protected Section of the document?
If it's 2 or 3 and the document also has formfields, what kinds of formfields are they?

Note: the addition of the 'mergeformat' switch, which Word sometimes adds to a field, does not make the field a mergefield.


--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]


Hi Macropad,

Just for testing we used Date field. In the actual template we have merge
fields which when accessed thru' the application we have, will be populated
with actual values. The user then should be able to modify the values
populated with their own values. When they trying remove the populated value
is when they are getting the error.

:

Hi Veera,

You mention a Word date field. These are not formfields and are not editable in a Section protected for forms in any version
of
Word.

Any formfields into which data can be input after protection has been applied should remain editable unless there's an on-exit
macro
attached to the formfield to change it's editing restrictions.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]


We have created a Word document with a legacy text form field. We inserted a
word date field and protected the document allowing Filling in Forms. After
protecting the document when we try going to the form field and clicking on
back space to delete the entry we get "This is not a valid selection" message
box.

We have existing word documents in 2003 with similar form fields. We were
able to delete the entries and add new data. After converting the documents
to 2007 or create new documents in 2007 and try to delete the entries we get
the above error.


.


.

.

 

[macropod]

Hi Veera,

Since it's not possible to use Word's text formfields and mailmerge fields in the same document (any text formfields get deleted
when the merge is executed) and your Java programs, which I don't have (and wouldn't even be able to interpret if I did), seem to be
at the heart of your process, I don't believe much would be gained by you sending the Word files to me. As I said my my previous
post, this really does seem to be an issue with your Java programs, rather than being a Word problem, per se.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]

Hi Macropod,

I could send the document with the merge field inside a text form field to
show you the problem? How should I send this?

Or

you can the steps to insert a merge field inside Text For Field.

1) In the design mode I selected Legacy Forms --> Text Form Field. This
creates a gray text form field in the document with the cursor in the end.
Move the cursor to the front. This will put the cursor outside the form
field. Now move one column to the right so that cursor is inside the field.
2) Select the Insert tab and click Quick Parts --> Field.
3) In the Field Names List select --> MergeField.
4) Enter say "Name" in the Field Name. This will create <<Name>> inside the
form field.
5) Select the Developer tab and click Protect Document. In this check Limit
formatting..., Allow only this type of editing.... and select Filling in
Forms in drop down and then click Start protection.
6) With the document protected click inside the Text Form Field so that the
cursor is in the end. Now use the backspace to delete the entry in the form
field. It will delete any empty spaces available and when it tries to the
delete the merge field we get "This is not a valid selection" message.

We were able to do this in 2003.

Thanks in advance for any help in this matter.

Hi Veera,

You can't (and never have been able to) put a mergefield into a formfield. It seems to me your Java apps are trying to simulate a
mailmerge via Java code. To resolve any issues in that regard, you'll need to examine that code - it's not apparently a Word
problem, per se.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]

Hi Macropad,

Sorry for the confusion.

We have documents that contains "Text Form Field". Inside these text form
fields we add MERGEFIELD (programatically in Java using JACOB). The document
is protected allowing only editing form fields.

As part of another Java program we open the document created above and set
the values for the MERGEFIELD. The users can either use the values populated
or remove and add their own values. This we were able to do in 2003. In Word
2007 we are not able to delete the value populated and enter our another
value. It gives "This is not a valid selection" message.

Hope I am clear now.

:

Hi Veera,

This is getting confusing!

Now you're introducing mergefields. Mergefields are not formfields and neither are they Date fields. Please be clear about
what
kind
of fields you're working with and what kind of document they're in.

Are you working with a:
1. document containing formfields, that has forms protection applied;
2. mailmerge main document;
3. mailmerge output file; or
4. standard Word document with no formfields or mergefields, but perhaps other fields (eg Date)?
If it's:
.. 1, does the document also have fields that are not formfields (eg Date fields, but not mergefields)?
.. 2 or 3, does the document also have formfields or fields that are not formfields (eg Date fields)?
If it's 1, 2 or 3 and the document also has fields that are not formfields, what kinds of fields are they and are those fields
in
a
protected Section of the document?
If it's 2 or 3 and the document also has formfields, what kinds of formfields are they?

Note: the addition of the 'mergeformat' switch, which Word sometimes adds to a field, does not make the field a mergefield.


--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]


Hi Macropad,

Just for testing we used Date field. In the actual template we have merge
fields which when accessed thru' the application we have, will be populated
with actual values. The user then should be able to modify the values
populated with their own values. When they trying remove the populated value
is when they are getting the error.

:

Hi Veera,

You mention a Word date field. These are not formfields and are not editable in a Section protected for forms in any
version
of
Word.

Any formfields into which data can be input after protection has been applied should remain editable unless there's an
on-exit
macro
attached to the formfield to change it's editing restrictions.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]


We have created a Word document with a legacy text form field. We inserted a
word date field and protected the document allowing Filling in Forms. After
protecting the document when we try going to the form field and clicking on
back space to delete the entry we get "This is not a valid selection" message
box.

We have existing word documents in 2003 with similar form fields. We were
able to delete the entries and add new data. After converting the documents
to 2007 or create new documents in 2007 and try to delete the entries we get
the above error.


.


.

.

 

[Veera]

Thanks Macropod.

For the steps that I have mentioned, it is happening outside the Java
application. I created a word document following the steps below and I get
the error. The test is without intercation from our application.

Hi Veera,

Since it's not possible to use Word's text formfields and mailmerge fields in the same document (any text formfields get deleted
when the merge is executed) and your Java programs, which I don't have (and wouldn't even be able to interpret if I did), seem to be
at the heart of your process, I don't believe much would be gained by you sending the Word files to me. As I said my my previous
post, this really does seem to be an issue with your Java programs, rather than being a Word problem, per se.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]

Hi Macropod,

I could send the document with the merge field inside a text form field to
show you the problem? How should I send this?

Or

you can the steps to insert a merge field inside Text For Field.

1) In the design mode I selected Legacy Forms --> Text Form Field. This
creates a gray text form field in the document with the cursor in the end.
Move the cursor to the front. This will put the cursor outside the form
field. Now move one column to the right so that cursor is inside the field.
2) Select the Insert tab and click Quick Parts --> Field.
3) In the Field Names List select --> MergeField.
4) Enter say "Name" in the Field Name. This will create <<Name>> inside the
form field.
5) Select the Developer tab and click Protect Document. In this check Limit
formatting..., Allow only this type of editing.... and select Filling in
Forms in drop down and then click Start protection.
6) With the document protected click inside the Text Form Field so that the
cursor is in the end. Now use the backspace to delete the entry in the form
field. It will delete any empty spaces available and when it tries to the
delete the merge field we get "This is not a valid selection" message.

We were able to do this in 2003.

Thanks in advance for any help in this matter.

Hi Veera,

You can't (and never have been able to) put a mergefield into a formfield. It seems to me your Java apps are trying to simulate a
mailmerge via Java code. To resolve any issues in that regard, you'll need to examine that code - it's not apparently a Word
problem, per se.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]


Hi Macropad,

Sorry for the confusion.

We have documents that contains "Text Form Field". Inside these text form
fields we add MERGEFIELD (programatically in Java using JACOB). The document
is protected allowing only editing form fields.

As part of another Java program we open the document created above and set
the values for the MERGEFIELD. The users can either use the values populated
or remove and add their own values. This we were able to do in 2003. In Word
2007 we are not able to delete the value populated and enter our another
value. It gives "This is not a valid selection" message.

Hope I am clear now.

:

Hi Veera,

This is getting confusing!

Now you're introducing mergefields. Mergefields are not formfields and neither are they Date fields. Please be clear about
what
kind
of fields you're working with and what kind of document they're in.

Are you working with a:
1. document containing formfields, that has forms protection applied;
2. mailmerge main document;
3. mailmerge output file; or
4. standard Word document with no formfields or mergefields, but perhaps other fields (eg Date)?
If it's:
.. 1, does the document also have fields that are not formfields (eg Date fields, but not mergefields)?
.. 2 or 3, does the document also have formfields or fields that are not formfields (eg Date fields)?
If it's 1, 2 or 3 and the document also has fields that are not formfields, what kinds of fields are they and are those fields
in
a
protected Section of the document?
If it's 2 or 3 and the document also has formfields, what kinds of formfields are they?

Note: the addition of the 'mergeformat' switch, which Word sometimes adds to a field, does not make the field a mergefield.


--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]


Hi Macropad,

Just for testing we used Date field. In the actual template we have merge
fields which when accessed thru' the application we have, will be populated
with actual values. The user then should be able to modify the values
populated with their own values. When they trying remove the populated value
is when they are getting the error.

:

Hi Veera,

You mention a Word date field. These are not formfields and are not editable in a Section protected for forms in any
version
of
Word.

Any formfields into which data can be input after protection has been applied should remain editable unless there's an
on-exit
macro
attached to the formfield to change it's editing restrictions.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]


We have created a Word document with a legacy text form field. We inserted a
word date field and protected the document allowing Filling in Forms. After
protecting the document when we try going to the form field and clicking on
back space to delete the entry we get "This is not a valid selection" message
box.

We have existing word documents in 2003 with similar form fields. We were
able to delete the entries and add new data. After converting the documents
to 2007 or create new documents in 2007 and try to delete the entries we get
the above error.


.


.


.

.

 

[macropod]

Hi Veera,

I don't have Word 2003 to test with, so I can't comment on what it might do. I do know, though, that any mergefield you insert into
a formfield in Word 2000 gets deleted as soon as the document is protected. Since text formfields are incompatible with mailmerge in
all Word versions, I'd have expected Word 2003 to behave in much the same way. If the mergefields remained with the protection on
and you were able to use & edit them, then all I can say is that you managed to find a bug in Word 2003 that you were able to
exploit to your advantage. IMHO, the fact that the mergefield apparently remains (though inaccessible) in a protected text formfield
in Word 2007 is a different bug - I also note that, if you update a text formfield in Word 2007 when the document is in an
unprotected state, any mergefield within it gets deleted.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]

Thanks Macropod.

For the steps that I have mentioned, it is happening outside the Java
application. I created a word document following the steps below and I get
the error. The test is without intercation from our application.

Hi Veera,

Since it's not possible to use Word's text formfields and mailmerge fields in the same document (any text formfields get deleted
when the merge is executed) and your Java programs, which I don't have (and wouldn't even be able to interpret if I did), seem to
be
at the heart of your process, I don't believe much would be gained by you sending the Word files to me. As I said my my previous
post, this really does seem to be an issue with your Java programs, rather than being a Word problem, per se.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]

Hi Macropod,

I could send the document with the merge field inside a text form field to
show you the problem? How should I send this?

Or

you can the steps to insert a merge field inside Text For Field.

1) In the design mode I selected Legacy Forms --> Text Form Field. This
creates a gray text form field in the document with the cursor in the end.
Move the cursor to the front. This will put the cursor outside the form
field. Now move one column to the right so that cursor is inside the field.
2) Select the Insert tab and click Quick Parts --> Field.
3) In the Field Names List select --> MergeField.
4) Enter say "Name" in the Field Name. This will create <<Name>> inside the
form field.
5) Select the Developer tab and click Protect Document. In this check Limit
formatting..., Allow only this type of editing.... and select Filling in
Forms in drop down and then click Start protection.
6) With the document protected click inside the Text Form Field so that the
cursor is in the end. Now use the backspace to delete the entry in the form
field. It will delete any empty spaces available and when it tries to the
delete the merge field we get "This is not a valid selection" message.

We were able to do this in 2003.

Thanks in advance for any help in this matter.

:

Hi Veera,

You can't (and never have been able to) put a mergefield into a formfield. It seems to me your Java apps are trying to
simulate a
mailmerge via Java code. To resolve any issues in that regard, you'll need to examine that code - it's not apparently a Word
problem, per se.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]


Hi Macropad,

Sorry for the confusion.

We have documents that contains "Text Form Field". Inside these text form
fields we add MERGEFIELD (programatically in Java using JACOB). The document
is protected allowing only editing form fields.

As part of another Java program we open the document created above and set
the values for the MERGEFIELD. The users can either use the values populated
or remove and add their own values. This we were able to do in 2003. In Word
2007 we are not able to delete the value populated and enter our another
value. It gives "This is not a valid selection" message.

Hope I am clear now.

:

Hi Veera,

This is getting confusing!

Now you're introducing mergefields. Mergefields are not formfields and neither are they Date fields. Please be clear about
what
kind
of fields you're working with and what kind of document they're in.

Are you working with a:
1. document containing formfields, that has forms protection applied;
2. mailmerge main document;
3. mailmerge output file; or
4. standard Word document with no formfields or mergefields, but perhaps other fields (eg Date)?
If it's:
.. 1, does the document also have fields that are not formfields (eg Date fields, but not mergefields)?
.. 2 or 3, does the document also have formfields or fields that are not formfields (eg Date fields)?
If it's 1, 2 or 3 and the document also has fields that are not formfields, what kinds of fields are they and are those
fields
in
a
protected Section of the document?
If it's 2 or 3 and the document also has formfields, what kinds of formfields are they?

Note: the addition of the 'mergeformat' switch, which Word sometimes adds to a field, does not make the field a mergefield.


--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]


Hi Macropad,

Just for testing we used Date field. In the actual template we have merge
fields which when accessed thru' the application we have, will be populated
with actual values. The user then should be able to modify the values
populated with their own values. When they trying remove the populated value
is when they are getting the error.

:

Hi Veera,

You mention a Word date field. These are not formfields and are not editable in a Section protected for forms in any
version
of
Word.

Any formfields into which data can be input after protection has been applied should remain editable unless there's an
on-exit
macro
attached to the formfield to change it's editing restrictions.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]


We have created a Word document with a legacy text form field. We inserted a
word date field and protected the document allowing Filling in Forms. After
protecting the document when we try going to the form field and clicking on
back space to delete the entry we get "This is not a valid selection" message
box.

We have existing word documents in 2003 with similar form fields. We were
able to delete the entries and add new data. After converting the documents
to 2007 or create new documents in 2007 and try to delete the entries we get
the above error.


.


.


.

.

 

[Veera]

Thanks Macropod.

Should I ask the customer to raise a ticket with Microsoft for this issue or
is this how it should function?

Thanks
Veera

Hi Veera,

I don't have Word 2003 to test with, so I can't comment on what it might do. I do know, though, that any mergefield you insert into
a formfield in Word 2000 gets deleted as soon as the document is protected. Since text formfields are incompatible with mailmerge in
all Word versions, I'd have expected Word 2003 to behave in much the same way. If the mergefields remained with the protection on
and you were able to use & edit them, then all I can say is that you managed to find a bug in Word 2003 that you were able to
exploit to your advantage. IMHO, the fact that the mergefield apparently remains (though inaccessible) in a protected text formfield
in Word 2007 is a different bug - I also note that, if you update a text formfield in Word 2007 when the document is in an
unprotected state, any mergefield within it gets deleted.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]

Thanks Macropod.

For the steps that I have mentioned, it is happening outside the Java
application. I created a word document following the steps below and I get
the error. The test is without intercation from our application.

Hi Veera,

Since it's not possible to use Word's text formfields and mailmerge fields in the same document (any text formfields get deleted
when the merge is executed) and your Java programs, which I don't have (and wouldn't even be able to interpret if I did), seem to
be
at the heart of your process, I don't believe much would be gained by you sending the Word files to me. As I said my my previous
post, this really does seem to be an issue with your Java programs, rather than being a Word problem, per se.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]


Hi Macropod,

I could send the document with the merge field inside a text form field to
show you the problem? How should I send this?

Or

you can the steps to insert a merge field inside Text For Field.

1) In the design mode I selected Legacy Forms --> Text Form Field. This
creates a gray text form field in the document with the cursor in the end.
Move the cursor to the front. This will put the cursor outside the form
field. Now move one column to the right so that cursor is inside the field.
2) Select the Insert tab and click Quick Parts --> Field.
3) In the Field Names List select --> MergeField.
4) Enter say "Name" in the Field Name. This will create <<Name>> inside the
form field.
5) Select the Developer tab and click Protect Document. In this check Limit
formatting..., Allow only this type of editing.... and select Filling in
Forms in drop down and then click Start protection.
6) With the document protected click inside the Text Form Field so that the
cursor is in the end. Now use the backspace to delete the entry in the form
field. It will delete any empty spaces available and when it tries to the
delete the merge field we get "This is not a valid selection" message.

We were able to do this in 2003.

Thanks in advance for any help in this matter.

:

Hi Veera,

You can't (and never have been able to) put a mergefield into a formfield. It seems to me your Java apps are trying to
simulate a
mailmerge via Java code. To resolve any issues in that regard, you'll need to examine that code - it's not apparently a Word
problem, per se.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]


Hi Macropad,

Sorry for the confusion.

We have documents that contains "Text Form Field". Inside these text form
fields we add MERGEFIELD (programatically in Java using JACOB). The document
is protected allowing only editing form fields.

As part of another Java program we open the document created above and set
the values for the MERGEFIELD. The users can either use the values populated
or remove and add their own values. This we were able to do in 2003. In Word
2007 we are not able to delete the value populated and enter our another
value. It gives "This is not a valid selection" message.

Hope I am clear now.

:

Hi Veera,

This is getting confusing!

Now you're introducing mergefields. Mergefields are not formfields and neither are they Date fields. Please be clear about
what
kind
of fields you're working with and what kind of document they're in.

Are you working with a:
1. document containing formfields, that has forms protection applied;
2. mailmerge main document;
3. mailmerge output file; or
4. standard Word document with no formfields or mergefields, but perhaps other fields (eg Date)?
If it's:
.. 1, does the document also have fields that are not formfields (eg Date fields, but not mergefields)?
.. 2 or 3, does the document also have formfields or fields that are not formfields (eg Date fields)?
If it's 1, 2 or 3 and the document also has fields that are not formfields, what kinds of fields are they and are those
fields
in
a
protected Section of the document?
If it's 2 or 3 and the document also has formfields, what kinds of formfields are they?

Note: the addition of the 'mergeformat' switch, which Word sometimes adds to a field, does not make the field a mergefield.


--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]


Hi Macropad,

Just for testing we used Date field. In the actual template we have merge
fields which when accessed thru' the application we have, will be populated
with actual values. The user then should be able to modify the values
populated with their own values. When they trying remove the populated value
is when they are getting the error.

:

Hi Veera,

You mention a Word date field. These are not formfields and are not editable in a Section protected for forms in any
version
of
Word.

Any formfields into which data can be input after protection has been applied should remain editable unless there's an
on-exit
macro
attached to the formfield to change it's editing restrictions.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]


We have created a Word document with a legacy text form field. We inserted a
word date field and protected the document allowing Filling in Forms. After
protecting the document when we try going to the form field and clicking on
back space to delete the entry we get "This is not a valid selection" message
box.

We have existing word documents in 2003 with similar form fields. We were
able to delete the entries and add new data. After converting the documents
to 2007 or create new documents in 2007 and try to delete the entries we get
the above error.


.


.


.


.

.

 

[macropod]

Hi Veera,

Mailmerge fields and text formfields have never co-existed happily in Word documents (your Word 2003 experience aside). I doubt that
the mergefield was meant to remain as it does in the Word 2007 text formfield and be inaccessible - whether it should have been
deleted (as per Word 2000) or should have remained accessible (as per Word 2003), I don't know. So, on that basis, it might be
worthwhile taking the issue up with MS.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]

Thanks Macropod.

Should I ask the customer to raise a ticket with Microsoft for this issue or
is this how it should function?

Thanks
Veera

Hi Veera,

I don't have Word 2003 to test with, so I can't comment on what it might do. I do know, though, that any mergefield you insert
into
a formfield in Word 2000 gets deleted as soon as the document is protected. Since text formfields are incompatible with mailmerge
in
all Word versions, I'd have expected Word 2003 to behave in much the same way. If the mergefields remained with the protection on
and you were able to use & edit them, then all I can say is that you managed to find a bug in Word 2003 that you were able to
exploit to your advantage. IMHO, the fact that the mergefield apparently remains (though inaccessible) in a protected text
formfield
in Word 2007 is a different bug - I also note that, if you update a text formfield in Word 2007 when the document is in an
unprotected state, any mergefield within it gets deleted.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]

Thanks Macropod.

For the steps that I have mentioned, it is happening outside the Java
application. I created a word document following the steps below and I get
the error. The test is without intercation from our application.

:

Hi Veera,

Since it's not possible to use Word's text formfields and mailmerge fields in the same document (any text formfields get
deleted
when the merge is executed) and your Java programs, which I don't have (and wouldn't even be able to interpret if I did), seem
to
be
at the heart of your process, I don't believe much would be gained by you sending the Word files to me. As I said my my
previous
post, this really does seem to be an issue with your Java programs, rather than being a Word problem, per se.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]


Hi Macropod,

I could send the document with the merge field inside a text form field to
show you the problem? How should I send this?

Or

you can the steps to insert a merge field inside Text For Field.

1) In the design mode I selected Legacy Forms --> Text Form Field. This
creates a gray text form field in the document with the cursor in the end.
Move the cursor to the front. This will put the cursor outside the form
field. Now move one column to the right so that cursor is inside the field.
2) Select the Insert tab and click Quick Parts --> Field.
3) In the Field Names List select --> MergeField.
4) Enter say "Name" in the Field Name. This will create <<Name>> inside the
form field.
5) Select the Developer tab and click Protect Document. In this check Limit
formatting..., Allow only this type of editing.... and select Filling in
Forms in drop down and then click Start protection.
6) With the document protected click inside the Text Form Field so that the
cursor is in the end. Now use the backspace to delete the entry in the form
field. It will delete any empty spaces available and when it tries to the
delete the merge field we get "This is not a valid selection" message.

We were able to do this in 2003.

Thanks in advance for any help in this matter.

:

Hi Veera,

You can't (and never have been able to) put a mergefield into a formfield. It seems to me your Java apps are trying to
simulate a
mailmerge via Java code. To resolve any issues in that regard, you'll need to examine that code - it's not apparently a
Word
problem, per se.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]


Hi Macropad,

Sorry for the confusion.

We have documents that contains "Text Form Field". Inside these text form
fields we add MERGEFIELD (programatically in Java using JACOB). The document
is protected allowing only editing form fields.

As part of another Java program we open the document created above and set
the values for the MERGEFIELD. The users can either use the values populated
or remove and add their own values. This we were able to do in 2003. In Word
2007 we are not able to delete the value populated and enter our another
value. It gives "This is not a valid selection" message.

Hope I am clear now.

:

Hi Veera,

This is getting confusing!

Now you're introducing mergefields. Mergefields are not formfields and neither are they Date fields. Please be clear
about
what
kind
of fields you're working with and what kind of document they're in.

Are you working with a:
1. document containing formfields, that has forms protection applied;
2. mailmerge main document;
3. mailmerge output file; or
4. standard Word document with no formfields or mergefields, but perhaps other fields (eg Date)?
If it's:
.. 1, does the document also have fields that are not formfields (eg Date fields, but not mergefields)?
.. 2 or 3, does the document also have formfields or fields that are not formfields (eg Date fields)?
If it's 1, 2 or 3 and the document also has fields that are not formfields, what kinds of fields are they and are those
fields
in
a
protected Section of the document?
If it's 2 or 3 and the document also has formfields, what kinds of formfields are they?

Note: the addition of the 'mergeformat' switch, which Word sometimes adds to a field, does not make the field a
mergefield.


--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]


Hi Macropad,

Just for testing we used Date field. In the actual template we have merge
fields which when accessed thru' the application we have, will be populated
with actual values. The user then should be able to modify the values
populated with their own values. When they trying remove the populated value
is when they are getting the error.

:

Hi Veera,

You mention a Word date field. These are not formfields and are not editable in a Section protected for forms in any
version
of
Word.

Any formfields into which data can be input after protection has been applied should remain editable unless there's
an
on-exit
macro
attached to the formfield to change it's editing restrictions.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]


We have created a Word document with a legacy text form field. We inserted a
word date field and protected the document allowing Filling in Forms. After
protecting the document when we try going to the form field and clicking on
back space to delete the entry we get "This is not a valid selection" message
box.

We have existing word documents in 2003 with similar form fields. We were
able to delete the entries and add new data. After converting the documents
to 2007 or create new documents in 2007 and try to delete the entries we get
the above error.


.


.


.


.

.

 

[Veera]

Thanks Macropod for all the help....

Hi Veera,

Mailmerge fields and text formfields have never co-existed happily in Word documents (your Word 2003 experience aside). I doubt that
the mergefield was meant to remain as it does in the Word 2007 text formfield and be inaccessible - whether it should have been
deleted (as per Word 2000) or should have remained accessible (as per Word 2003), I don't know. So, on that basis, it might be
worthwhile taking the issue up with MS.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]

Thanks Macropod.

Should I ask the customer to raise a ticket with Microsoft for this issue or
is this how it should function?

Thanks
Veera

Hi Veera,

I don't have Word 2003 to test with, so I can't comment on what it might do. I do know, though, that any mergefield you insert
into
a formfield in Word 2000 gets deleted as soon as the document is protected. Since text formfields are incompatible with mailmerge
in
all Word versions, I'd have expected Word 2003 to behave in much the same way. If the mergefields remained with the protection on
and you were able to use & edit them, then all I can say is that you managed to find a bug in Word 2003 that you were able to
exploit to your advantage. IMHO, the fact that the mergefield apparently remains (though inaccessible) in a protected text
formfield
in Word 2007 is a different bug - I also note that, if you update a text formfield in Word 2007 when the document is in an
unprotected state, any mergefield within it gets deleted.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]


Thanks Macropod.

For the steps that I have mentioned, it is happening outside the Java
application. I created a word document following the steps below and I get
the error. The test is without intercation from our application.

:

Hi Veera,

Since it's not possible to use Word's text formfields and mailmerge fields in the same document (any text formfields get
deleted
when the merge is executed) and your Java programs, which I don't have (and wouldn't even be able to interpret if I did), seem
to
be
at the heart of your process, I don't believe much would be gained by you sending the Word files to me. As I said my my
previous
post, this really does seem to be an issue with your Java programs, rather than being a Word problem, per se.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]


Hi Macropod,

I could send the document with the merge field inside a text form field to
show you the problem? How should I send this?

Or

you can the steps to insert a merge field inside Text For Field.

1) In the design mode I selected Legacy Forms --> Text Form Field. This
creates a gray text form field in the document with the cursor in the end.
Move the cursor to the front. This will put the cursor outside the form
field. Now move one column to the right so that cursor is inside the field.
2) Select the Insert tab and click Quick Parts --> Field.
3) In the Field Names List select --> MergeField.
4) Enter say "Name" in the Field Name. This will create <<Name>> inside the
form field.
5) Select the Developer tab and click Protect Document. In this check Limit
formatting..., Allow only this type of editing.... and select Filling in
Forms in drop down and then click Start protection.
6) With the document protected click inside the Text Form Field so that the
cursor is in the end. Now use the backspace to delete the entry in the form
field. It will delete any empty spaces available and when it tries to the
delete the merge field we get "This is not a valid selection" message.

We were able to do this in 2003.

Thanks in advance for any help in this matter.

:

Hi Veera,

You can't (and never have been able to) put a mergefield into a formfield. It seems to me your Java apps are trying to
simulate a
mailmerge via Java code. To resolve any issues in that regard, you'll need to examine that code - it's not apparently a
Word
problem, per se.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]


Hi Macropad,

Sorry for the confusion.

We have documents that contains "Text Form Field". Inside these text form
fields we add MERGEFIELD (programatically in Java using JACOB). The document
is protected allowing only editing form fields.

As part of another Java program we open the document created above and set
the values for the MERGEFIELD. The users can either use the values populated
or remove and add their own values. This we were able to do in 2003. In Word
2007 we are not able to delete the value populated and enter our another
value. It gives "This is not a valid selection" message.

Hope I am clear now.

:

Hi Veera,

This is getting confusing!

Now you're introducing mergefields. Mergefields are not formfields and neither are they Date fields. Please be clear
about
what
kind
of fields you're working with and what kind of document they're in.

Are you working with a:
1. document containing formfields, that has forms protection applied;
2. mailmerge main document;
3. mailmerge output file; or
4. standard Word document with no formfields or mergefields, but perhaps other fields (eg Date)?
If it's:
.. 1, does the document also have fields that are not formfields (eg Date fields, but not mergefields)?
.. 2 or 3, does the document also have formfields or fields that are not formfields (eg Date fields)?
If it's 1, 2 or 3 and the document also has fields that are not formfields, what kinds of fields are they and are those
fields
in
a
protected Section of the document?
If it's 2 or 3 and the document also has formfields, what kinds of formfields are they?

Note: the addition of the 'mergeformat' switch, which Word sometimes adds to a field, does not make the field a
mergefield.


--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]


Hi Macropad,

Just for testing we used Date field. In the actual template we have merge
fields which when accessed thru' the application we have, will be populated
with actual values. The user then should be able to modify the values
populated with their own values. When they trying remove the populated value
is when they are getting the error.

:

Hi Veera,

You mention a Word date field. These are not formfields and are not editable in a Section protected for forms in any
version
of
Word.

Any formfields into which data can be input after protection has been applied should remain editable unless there's
an
on-exit
macro
attached to the formfield to change it's editing restrictions.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]


We have created a Word document with a legacy text form field. We inserted a
word date field and protected the document allowing Filling in Forms. After
protecting the document when we try going to the form field and clicking on
back space to delete the entry we get "This is not a valid selection" message
box.

We have existing word documents in 2003 with similar form fields. We were
able to delete the entries and add new data. After converting the documents
to 2007 or create new documents in 2007 and try to delete the entries we get
the above error.


.


.


.


.


.

.

 

[Jen McGee]

I am the customer working with Veera on this issue. Veera's company supplies the code to the product that launches Word. We have been able to edit these form fields he is describing in both Word 2000 & Word 2003. When we received Word 2007 is where the problem began.

Veera's application (Java based program) launches Word with the template selected by a user (template is a .doc which is created in another Java based program/application created by Veera's same company), using macros it unprotects the document, populates attributes (selected within the application the template is created in) into the document (some of which are in form fields), re-protects the document & shows the document to the end user for them to edit the form fields if necessary.

I just want to reiterate, we've been using this process for over 5 years - with Word 2000 & Word 2003 with no issues of editing. Now with Word 2007, we've encountered the road block with the error message Veera refers to.

As the customer, I don't care who's problem it is - Java vs. Microsoft, we just want to use the application/process as we have been for the past 5 years.




Veera wrote:

Thanks Macropod for all the help...."macropod" wrote:
19-Feb-10

Thanks Macropod for all the help....

:

Previous Posts In This Thread:

Editing Password protected form fields in Word 2007
We have created a Word document with a legacy text form field. We inserted a
word date field and protected the document allowing Filling in Forms. After
protecting the document when we try going to the form field and clicking on
back space to delete the entry we get "This is not a valid selection" message
box.

We have existing word documents in 2003 with similar form fields. We were
able to delete the entries and add new data. After converting the documents
to 2007 or create new documents in 2007 and try to delete the entries we get
the above error.

Hi Veera,You mention a Word date field.
Hi Veera,

You mention a Word date field. These are not formfields and are not editable in a Section protected for forms in any version of
Word.

Any formfields into which data can be input after protection has been applied should remain editable unless there is an on-exit macro
attached to the formfield to change it is editing restrictions.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]

Hi Veera,This is getting confusing!
Hi Veera,

This is getting confusing!

Now you are introducing mergefields. Mergefields are not formfields and neither are they Date fields. Please be clear about what kind
of fields you are working with and what kind of document they are in.

Are you working with a:
1. document containing formfields, that has forms protection applied;
2. mailmerge main document;
3. mailmerge output file; or
4. standard Word document with no formfields or mergefields, but perhaps other fields (eg Date)?
If it is:
... 1, does the document also have fields that are not formfields (eg Date fields, but not mergefields)?
... 2 or 3, does the document also have formfields or fields that are not formfields (eg Date fields)?
If it is 1, 2 or 3 and the document also has fields that are not formfields, what kinds of fields are they and are those fields in a
protected Section of the document?
If it is 2 or 3 and the document also has formfields, what kinds of formfields are they?

Note: the addition of the 'mergeformat' switch, which Word sometimes adds to a field, does not make the field a mergefield.


--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]

Hi Macropad,Sorry for the confusion.
Hi Macropad,

Sorry for the confusion.

We have documents that contains "Text Form Field". Inside these text form
fields we add MERGEFIELD (programatically in Java using JACOB). The document
is protected allowing only editing form fields.

As part of another Java program we open the document created above and set
the values for the MERGEFIELD. The users can either use the values populated
or remove and add their own values. This we were able to do in 2003. In Word
2007 we are not able to delete the value populated and enter our another
value. It gives "This is not a valid selection" message.

Hope I am clear now.

:

Mail merge and protected forms are mutually exclusive.
Mail merge and protected forms are mutually exclusive. You *may* be able to
get around this - see http://www.gmayor.com/Form_Fields_and_Mail_Merge.htm

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


<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>

Hi Veera,You cannot (and never have been able to) put a mergefield into a
Hi Veera,

You cannot (and never have been able to) put a mergefield into a formfield. It seems to me your Java apps are trying to simulate a
mailmerge via Java code. To resolve any issues in that regard, you will need to examine that code - it is not apparently a Word
problem, per se.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]

Thanks Graham.
Thanks Graham. We are able to set the values in merge fields by unprortecting
th document and protecting it. But since the protection allow Editing of Form
Fields the user would like to delete the entries populated and set their own
values. While deleting is when we are getting this error.

:

Hi Macropod,I could send the document with the merge field inside a text form
Hi Macropod,

I could send the document with the merge field inside a text form field to
show you the problem? How should I send this?

Or

you can the steps to insert a merge field inside Text For Field.

1) In the design mode I selected Legacy Forms --> Text Form Field. This
creates a gray text form field in the document with the cursor in the end.
Move the cursor to the front. This will put the cursor outside the form
field. Now move one column to the right so that cursor is inside the field.
2) Select the Insert tab and click Quick Parts --> Field.
3) In the Field Names List select --> MergeField.
4) Enter say "Name" in the Field Name. This will create <<Name>> inside the
form field.
5) Select the Developer tab and click Protect Document. In this check Limit
formatting..., Allow only this type of editing.... and select Filling in
Forms in drop down and then click Start protection.
6) With the document protected click inside the Text Form Field so that the
cursor is in the end. Now use the backspace to delete the entry in the form
field. It will delete any empty spaces available and when it tries to the
delete the merge field we get "This is not a valid selection" message.

We were able to do this in 2003.

Thanks in advance for any help in this matter.

:

Hi Veera,Since it is not possible to use Word's text formfields and mailmerge
Hi Veera,

Since it is not possible to use Word's text formfields and mailmerge fields in the same document (any text formfields get deleted
when the merge is executed) and your Java programs, which I do not have (and would not even be able to interpret if I did), seem to be
at the heart of your process, I do not believe much would be gained by you sending the Word files to me. As I said my my previous
post, this really does seem to be an issue with your Java programs, rather than being a Word problem, per se.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]

Thanks Macropod.
Thanks Macropod.

For the steps that I have mentioned, it is happening outside the Java
application. I created a word document following the steps below and I get
the error. The test is without intercation from our application.

:

Hi Veera,I do not have Word 2003 to test with, so I cannot comment on what it
Hi Veera,

I do not have Word 2003 to test with, so I cannot comment on what it might do. I do know, though, that any mergefield you insert into
a formfield in Word 2000 gets deleted as soon as the document is protected. Since text formfields are incompatible with mailmerge in
all Word versions, I'd have expected Word 2003 to behave in much the same way. If the mergefields remained with the protection on
and you were able to use & edit them, then all I can say is that you managed to find a bug in Word 2003 that you were able to
exploit to your advantage. IMHO, the fact that the mergefield apparently remains (though inaccessible) in a protected text formfield
in Word 2007 is a different bug - I also note that, if you update a text formfield in Word 2007 when the document is in an
unprotected state, any mergefield within it gets deleted.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]

Thanks Macropod.
Thanks Macropod.

Should I ask the customer to raise a ticket with Microsoft for this issue or
is this how it should function?

Thanks
Veera

:

Hi Veera,Mailmerge fields and text formfields have never co-existed happily in
Hi Veera,

Mailmerge fields and text formfields have never co-existed happily in Word documents (your Word 2003 experience aside). I doubt that
the mergefield was meant to remain as it does in the Word 2007 text formfield and be inaccessible - whether it should have been
deleted (as per Word 2000) or should have remained accessible (as per Word 2003), I do not know. So, on that basis, it might be
worthwhile taking the issue up with MS.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]

Thanks Macropod for all the help...."macropod" wrote:
Thanks Macropod for all the help....

:


Submitted via EggHeadCafe - Software Developer Portal of Choice
BizTalk: Writing and using a custom referenced functoid.
http://www.eggheadcafe.com/tutorial...08-71c2b1127e40/biztalk-writing-and-usin.aspx

 

[macropod]

Hi Jen,

Unfortunately, what you've been able to do for the last 5 years, has relied on what's best described as a bug that's been made
harder to exploit in Word 2007. I doubt MS would be inclined to reinstate that bug. Be that as it may, this is not the place to
lobby MS about it - these messages don't go to an MS support area. If you want to chew on someone's ear, contact MS directly.


--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]

I am the customer working with Veera on this issue. Veera's company supplies the code to the product that launches Word. We have
been able to edit these form fields he is describing in both Word 2000 & Word 2003. When we received Word 2007 is where the
problem began.

Veera's application (Java based program) launches Word with the template selected by a user (template is a .doc which is created
in another Java based program/application created by Veera's same company), using macros it unprotects the document, populates
attributes (selected within the application the template is created in) into the document (some of which are in form fields),
re-protects the document & shows the document to the end user for them to edit the form fields if necessary.

I just want to reiterate, we've been using this process for over 5 years - with Word 2000 & Word 2003 with no issues of editing.
Now with Word 2007, we've encountered the road block with the error message Veera refers to.

As the customer, I don't care who's problem it is - Java vs. Microsoft, we just want to use the application/process as we have
been for the past 5 years.




Veera wrote:

Thanks Macropod for all the help...."macropod" wrote:
19-Feb-10

Thanks Macropod for all the help....

:

Previous Posts In This Thread:

Editing Password protected form fields in Word 2007
We have created a Word document with a legacy text form field. We inserted a
word date field and protected the document allowing Filling in Forms. After
protecting the document when we try going to the form field and clicking on
back space to delete the entry we get "This is not a valid selection" message
box.

We have existing word documents in 2003 with similar form fields. We were
able to delete the entries and add new data. After converting the documents
to 2007 or create new documents in 2007 and try to delete the entries we get
the above error.

Hi Veera,You mention a Word date field.
Hi Veera,

You mention a Word date field. These are not formfields and are not editable in a Section protected for forms in any version of
Word.

Any formfields into which data can be input after protection has been applied should remain editable unless there is an on-exit
macro
attached to the formfield to change it is editing restrictions.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]

Hi Veera,This is getting confusing!
Hi Veera,

This is getting confusing!

Now you are introducing mergefields. Mergefields are not formfields and neither are they Date fields. Please be clear about what
kind
of fields you are working with and what kind of document they are in.

Are you working with a:
1. document containing formfields, that has forms protection applied;
2. mailmerge main document;
3. mailmerge output file; or
4. standard Word document with no formfields or mergefields, but perhaps other fields (eg Date)?
If it is:
. 1, does the document also have fields that are not formfields (eg Date fields, but not mergefields)?
. 2 or 3, does the document also have formfields or fields that are not formfields (eg Date fields)?
If it is 1, 2 or 3 and the document also has fields that are not formfields, what kinds of fields are they and are those fields in
a
protected Section of the document?
If it is 2 or 3 and the document also has formfields, what kinds of formfields are they?

Note: the addition of the 'mergeformat' switch, which Word sometimes adds to a field, does not make the field a mergefield.


--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]

Hi Macropad,Sorry for the confusion.
Hi Macropad,

Sorry for the confusion.

We have documents that contains "Text Form Field". Inside these text form
fields we add MERGEFIELD (programatically in Java using JACOB). The document
is protected allowing only editing form fields.

As part of another Java program we open the document created above and set
the values for the MERGEFIELD. The users can either use the values populated
or remove and add their own values. This we were able to do in 2003. In Word
2007 we are not able to delete the value populated and enter our another
value. It gives "This is not a valid selection" message.

Hope I am clear now.

:

Mail merge and protected forms are mutually exclusive.
Mail merge and protected forms are mutually exclusive. You *may* be able to
get around this - see http://www.gmayor.com/Form_Fields_and_Mail_Merge.htm

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


<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>

Hi Veera,You cannot (and never have been able to) put a mergefield into a
Hi Veera,

You cannot (and never have been able to) put a mergefield into a formfield. It seems to me your Java apps are trying to simulate a
mailmerge via Java code. To resolve any issues in that regard, you will need to examine that code - it is not apparently a Word
problem, per se.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]

Thanks Graham.
Thanks Graham. We are able to set the values in merge fields by unprortecting
th document and protecting it. But since the protection allow Editing of Form
Fields the user would like to delete the entries populated and set their own
values. While deleting is when we are getting this error.

:

Hi Macropod,I could send the document with the merge field inside a text form
Hi Macropod,

I could send the document with the merge field inside a text form field to
show you the problem? How should I send this?

Or

you can the steps to insert a merge field inside Text For Field.

1) In the design mode I selected Legacy Forms --> Text Form Field. This
creates a gray text form field in the document with the cursor in the end.
Move the cursor to the front. This will put the cursor outside the form
field. Now move one column to the right so that cursor is inside the field.
2) Select the Insert tab and click Quick Parts --> Field.
3) In the Field Names List select --> MergeField.
4) Enter say "Name" in the Field Name. This will create <<Name>> inside the
form field.
5) Select the Developer tab and click Protect Document. In this check Limit
formatting..., Allow only this type of editing.... and select Filling in
Forms in drop down and then click Start protection.
6) With the document protected click inside the Text Form Field so that the
cursor is in the end. Now use the backspace to delete the entry in the form
field. It will delete any empty spaces available and when it tries to the
delete the merge field we get "This is not a valid selection" message.

We were able to do this in 2003.

Thanks in advance for any help in this matter.

:

Hi Veera,Since it is not possible to use Word's text formfields and mailmerge
Hi Veera,

Since it is not possible to use Word's text formfields and mailmerge fields in the same document (any text formfields get deleted
when the merge is executed) and your Java programs, which I do not have (and would not even be able to interpret if I did), seem
to be
at the heart of your process, I do not believe much would be gained by you sending the Word files to me. As I said my my previous
post, this really does seem to be an issue with your Java programs, rather than being a Word problem, per se.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]

Thanks Macropod.
Thanks Macropod.

For the steps that I have mentioned, it is happening outside the Java
application. I created a word document following the steps below and I get
the error. The test is without intercation from our application.

:

Hi Veera,I do not have Word 2003 to test with, so I cannot comment on what it
Hi Veera,

I do not have Word 2003 to test with, so I cannot comment on what it might do. I do know, though, that any mergefield you insert
into
a formfield in Word 2000 gets deleted as soon as the document is protected. Since text formfields are incompatible with mailmerge
in
all Word versions, I'd have expected Word 2003 to behave in much the same way. If the mergefields remained with the protection on
and you were able to use & edit them, then all I can say is that you managed to find a bug in Word 2003 that you were able to
exploit to your advantage. IMHO, the fact that the mergefield apparently remains (though inaccessible) in a protected text
formfield
in Word 2007 is a different bug - I also note that, if you update a text formfield in Word 2007 when the document is in an
unprotected state, any mergefield within it gets deleted.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]

Thanks Macropod.
Thanks Macropod.

Should I ask the customer to raise a ticket with Microsoft for this issue or
is this how it should function?

Thanks
Veera

:

Hi Veera,Mailmerge fields and text formfields have never co-existed happily in
Hi Veera,

Mailmerge fields and text formfields have never co-existed happily in Word documents (your Word 2003 experience aside). I doubt
that
the mergefield was meant to remain as it does in the Word 2007 text formfield and be inaccessible - whether it should have been
deleted (as per Word 2000) or should have remained accessible (as per Word 2003), I do not know. So, on that basis, it might be
worthwhile taking the issue up with MS.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]

Thanks Macropod for all the help...."macropod" wrote:
Thanks Macropod for all the help....

:


Submitted via EggHeadCafe - Software Developer Portal of Choice
BizTalk: Writing and using a custom referenced functoid.
http://www.eggheadcafe.com/tutorial...08-71c2b1127e40/biztalk-writing-and-usin.aspx

 

[Doug Robbins - Word MVP]

I cannot understand why your Java code is not setting the .Result of the
formfields. That is what you should be doing if you want to
populate/pre-populate formfields with data from some other application.
Further, it will not require that application to remove and then reinstate
the protection of the document.

--
Hope this helps.

Please reply to the newsgroup unless you wish to avail yourself of my
services on a paid consulting basis.

Doug Robbins - Word MVP, originally posted via msnews.microsoft.com

Thanks Macropod for all the help....

Hi Veera,

Mailmerge fields and text formfields have never co-existed happily in
Word documents (your Word 2003 experience aside). I doubt that
the mergefield was meant to remain as it does in the Word 2007 text
formfield and be inaccessible - whether it should have been
deleted (as per Word 2000) or should have remained accessible (as per
Word 2003), I don't know. So, on that basis, it might be
worthwhile taking the issue up with MS.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]

Thanks Macropod.

Should I ask the customer to raise a ticket with Microsoft for this
issue or
is this how it should function?

Thanks
Veera

:

Hi Veera,

I don't have Word 2003 to test with, so I can't comment on what it
might do. I do know, though, that any mergefield you insert
into
a formfield in Word 2000 gets deleted as soon as the document is
protected. Since text formfields are incompatible with mailmerge
in
all Word versions, I'd have expected Word 2003 to behave in much the
same way. If the mergefields remained with the protection on
and you were able to use & edit them, then all I can say is that you
managed to find a bug in Word 2003 that you were able to
exploit to your advantage. IMHO, the fact that the mergefield
apparently remains (though inaccessible) in a protected text
formfield
in Word 2007 is a different bug - I also note that, if you update a
text formfield in Word 2007 when the document is in an
unprotected state, any mergefield within it gets deleted.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]


Thanks Macropod.

For the steps that I have mentioned, it is happening outside the
Java
application. I created a word document following the steps below and
I get
the error. The test is without intercation from our application.

:

Hi Veera,

Since it's not possible to use Word's text formfields and mailmerge
fields in the same document (any text formfields get
deleted
when the merge is executed) and your Java programs, which I don't
have (and wouldn't even be able to interpret if I did), seem
to
be
at the heart of your process, I don't believe much would be gained
by you sending the Word files to me. As I said my my
previous
post, this really does seem to be an issue with your Java programs,
rather than being a Word problem, per se.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]


Hi Macropod,

I could send the document with the merge field inside a text form
field to
show you the problem? How should I send this?

Or

you can the steps to insert a merge field inside Text For Field.

1) In the design mode I selected Legacy Forms --> Text Form
Field. This
creates a gray text form field in the document with the cursor in
the end.
Move the cursor to the front. This will put the cursor outside
the form
field. Now move one column to the right so that cursor is inside
the field.
2) Select the Insert tab and click Quick Parts --> Field.
3) In the Field Names List select --> MergeField.
4) Enter say "Name" in the Field Name. This will create <<Name>>
inside the
form field.
5) Select the Developer tab and click Protect Document. In this
check Limit
formatting..., Allow only this type of editing.... and select
Filling in
Forms in drop down and then click Start protection.
6) With the document protected click inside the Text Form Field
so that the
cursor is in the end. Now use the backspace to delete the entry
in the form
field. It will delete any empty spaces available and when it
tries to the
delete the merge field we get "This is not a valid selection"
message.

We were able to do this in 2003.

Thanks in advance for any help in this matter.

:

Hi Veera,

You can't (and never have been able to) put a mergefield into a
formfield. It seems to me your Java apps are trying to
simulate a
mailmerge via Java code. To resolve any issues in that regard,
you'll need to examine that code - it's not apparently a
Word
problem, per se.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]


Hi Macropad,

Sorry for the confusion.

We have documents that contains "Text Form Field". Inside
these text form
fields we add MERGEFIELD (programatically in Java using
JACOB). The document
is protected allowing only editing form fields.

As part of another Java program we open the document created
above and set
the values for the MERGEFIELD. The users can either use the
values populated
or remove and add their own values. This we were able to do in
2003. In Word
2007 we are not able to delete the value populated and enter
our another
value. It gives "This is not a valid selection" message.

Hope I am clear now.

:

Hi Veera,

This is getting confusing!

Now you're introducing mergefields. Mergefields are not
formfields and neither are they Date fields. Please be clear
about
what
kind
of fields you're working with and what kind of document
they're in.

Are you working with a:
1. document containing formfields, that has forms protection
applied;
2. mailmerge main document;
3. mailmerge output file; or
4. standard Word document with no formfields or mergefields,
but perhaps other fields (eg Date)?
If it's:
.. 1, does the document also have fields that are not
formfields (eg Date fields, but not mergefields)?
.. 2 or 3, does the document also have formfields or fields
that are not formfields (eg Date fields)?
If it's 1, 2 or 3 and the document also has fields that are
not formfields, what kinds of fields are they and are those
fields
in
a
protected Section of the document?
If it's 2 or 3 and the document also has formfields, what
kinds of formfields are they?

Note: the addition of the 'mergeformat' switch, which Word
sometimes adds to a field, does not make the field a
mergefield.


--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]


Hi Macropad,

Just for testing we used Date field. In the actual template
we have merge
fields which when accessed thru' the application we have,
will be populated
with actual values. The user then should be able to modify
the values
populated with their own values. When they trying remove
the populated value
is when they are getting the error.

:

Hi Veera,

You mention a Word date field. These are not formfields
and are not editable in a Section protected for forms in
any
version
of
Word.

Any formfields into which data can be input after
protection has been applied should remain editable unless
there's
an
on-exit
macro
attached to the formfield to change it's editing
restrictions.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]


We have created a Word document with a legacy text form
field. We inserted a
word date field and protected the document allowing
Filling in Forms. After
protecting the document when we try going to the form
field and clicking on
back space to delete the entry we get "This is not a
valid selection" message
box.

We have existing word documents in 2003 with similar
form fields. We were
able to delete the entries and add new data. After
converting the documents
to 2007 or create new documents in 2007 and try to
delete the entries we get
the above error.


.


.


.


.


.

.

 

[Veera]

In Java code we are setting the values using ".Result". But there are
scenarios where the user wants to update the values. That is when we are
facing this issue.

This is what we are doing

Dispatch objRange = Dispatch.call(Field, "Result").toDispatch();

Dispatch.put(objField, "Locked", new Variant(Boolean.TRUE));

Dispatch.put(objRange, "Text", attributeDO.getAttribute_value());

When the user see the value and wants to change it they go to end of the
form field and try to delete when we get the message

I cannot understand why your Java code is not setting the .Result of the
formfields. That is what you should be doing if you want to
populate/pre-populate formfields with data from some other application.
Further, it will not require that application to remove and then reinstate
the protection of the document.

--
Hope this helps.

Please reply to the newsgroup unless you wish to avail yourself of my
services on a paid consulting basis.

Doug Robbins - Word MVP, originally posted via msnews.microsoft.com

Thanks Macropod for all the help....

Hi Veera,

Mailmerge fields and text formfields have never co-existed happily in
Word documents (your Word 2003 experience aside). I doubt that
the mergefield was meant to remain as it does in the Word 2007 text
formfield and be inaccessible - whether it should have been
deleted (as per Word 2000) or should have remained accessible (as per
Word 2003), I don't know. So, on that basis, it might be
worthwhile taking the issue up with MS.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]


Thanks Macropod.

Should I ask the customer to raise a ticket with Microsoft for this
issue or
is this how it should function?

Thanks
Veera

:

Hi Veera,

I don't have Word 2003 to test with, so I can't comment on what it
might do. I do know, though, that any mergefield you insert
into
a formfield in Word 2000 gets deleted as soon as the document is
protected. Since text formfields are incompatible with mailmerge
in
all Word versions, I'd have expected Word 2003 to behave in much the
same way. If the mergefields remained with the protection on
and you were able to use & edit them, then all I can say is that you
managed to find a bug in Word 2003 that you were able to
exploit to your advantage. IMHO, the fact that the mergefield
apparently remains (though inaccessible) in a protected text
formfield
in Word 2007 is a different bug - I also note that, if you update a
text formfield in Word 2007 when the document is in an
unprotected state, any mergefield within it gets deleted.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]


Thanks Macropod.

For the steps that I have mentioned, it is happening outside the
Java
application. I created a word document following the steps below and
I get
the error. The test is without intercation from our application.

:

Hi Veera,

Since it's not possible to use Word's text formfields and mailmerge
fields in the same document (any text formfields get
deleted
when the merge is executed) and your Java programs, which I don't
have (and wouldn't even be able to interpret if I did), seem
to
be
at the heart of your process, I don't believe much would be gained
by you sending the Word files to me. As I said my my
previous
post, this really does seem to be an issue with your Java programs,
rather than being a Word problem, per se.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]


Hi Macropod,

I could send the document with the merge field inside a text form
field to
show you the problem? How should I send this?

Or

you can the steps to insert a merge field inside Text For Field.

1) In the design mode I selected Legacy Forms --> Text Form
Field. This
creates a gray text form field in the document with the cursor in
the end.
Move the cursor to the front. This will put the cursor outside
the form
field. Now move one column to the right so that cursor is inside
the field.
2) Select the Insert tab and click Quick Parts --> Field.
3) In the Field Names List select --> MergeField.
4) Enter say "Name" in the Field Name. This will create <<Name>>
inside the
form field.
5) Select the Developer tab and click Protect Document. In this
check Limit
formatting..., Allow only this type of editing.... and select
Filling in
Forms in drop down and then click Start protection.
6) With the document protected click inside the Text Form Field
so that the
cursor is in the end. Now use the backspace to delete the entry
in the form
field. It will delete any empty spaces available and when it
tries to the
delete the merge field we get "This is not a valid selection"
message.

We were able to do this in 2003.

Thanks in advance for any help in this matter.

:

Hi Veera,

You can't (and never have been able to) put a mergefield into a
formfield. It seems to me your Java apps are trying to
simulate a
mailmerge via Java code. To resolve any issues in that regard,
you'll need to examine that code - it's not apparently a
Word
problem, per se.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]


Hi Macropad,

Sorry for the confusion.

We have documents that contains "Text Form Field". Inside
these text form
fields we add MERGEFIELD (programatically in Java using
JACOB). The document
is protected allowing only editing form fields.

As part of another Java program we open the document created
above and set
the values for the MERGEFIELD. The users can either use the
values populated
or remove and add their own values. This we were able to do in
2003. In Word
2007 we are not able to delete the value populated and enter
our another
value. It gives "This is not a valid selection" message.

Hope I am clear now.

:

Hi Veera,

This is getting confusing!

Now you're introducing mergefields. Mergefields are not
formfields and neither are they Date fields. Please be clear
about
what
kind
of fields you're working with and what kind of document
they're in.

Are you working with a:
1. document containing formfields, that has forms protection
applied;
2. mailmerge main document;
3. mailmerge output file; or
4. standard Word document with no formfields or mergefields,
but perhaps other fields (eg Date)?
If it's:
.. 1, does the document also have fields that are not
formfields (eg Date fields, but not mergefields)?
.. 2 or 3, does the document also have formfields or fields
that are not formfields (eg Date fields)?
If it's 1, 2 or 3 and the document also has fields that are
not formfields, what kinds of fields are they and are those
fields
in
a
protected Section of the document?
If it's 2 or 3 and the document also has formfields, what
kinds of formfields are they?

Note: the addition of the 'mergeformat' switch, which Word
sometimes adds to a field, does not make the field a
mergefield.


--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]


Hi Macropad,

Just for testing we used Date field. In the actual template
we have merge
fields which when accessed thru' the application we have,
will be populated
with actual values. The user then should be able to modify
the values
populated with their own values. When they trying remove
the populated value
is when they are getting the error.

:

Hi Veera,

You mention a Word date field. These are not formfields
and are not editable in a Section protected for forms in
any
version
of
Word.

Any formfields into which data can be input after
protection has been applied should remain editable unless
there's
an
on-exit
macro
attached to the formfield to change it's editing
restrictions.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]


We have created a Word document with a legacy text form
field. We inserted a
word date field and protected the document allowing
Filling in Forms. After
protecting the document when we try going to the form
field and clicking on
back space to delete the entry we get "This is not a
valid selection" message
box.

We have existing word documents in 2003 with similar
form fields. We were
able to delete the entries and add new data. After
converting the documents
to 2007 or create new documents in 2007 and try to
delete the entries we get
the above error.


.

 

[Doug Robbins - Word MVP]

Sorry, I cannot help you with that.

--
Hope this helps.

Please reply to the newsgroup unless you wish to avail yourself of my
services on a paid consulting basis.

Doug Robbins - Word MVP, originally posted via msnews.microsoft.com

In Java code we are setting the values using ".Result". But there are
scenarios where the user wants to update the values. That is when we are
facing this issue.

This is what we are doing

Dispatch objRange = Dispatch.call(Field, "Result").toDispatch();

Dispatch.put(objField, "Locked", new Variant(Boolean.TRUE));

Dispatch.put(objRange, "Text", attributeDO.getAttribute_value());

When the user see the value and wants to change it they go to end of the
form field and try to delete when we get the message

I cannot understand why your Java code is not setting the .Result of the
formfields. That is what you should be doing if you want to
populate/pre-populate formfields with data from some other application.
Further, it will not require that application to remove and then
reinstate
the protection of the document.

--
Hope this helps.

Please reply to the newsgroup unless you wish to avail yourself of my
services on a paid consulting basis.

Doug Robbins - Word MVP, originally posted via msnews.microsoft.com

Thanks Macropod for all the help....

:

Hi Veera,

Mailmerge fields and text formfields have never co-existed happily in
Word documents (your Word 2003 experience aside). I doubt that
the mergefield was meant to remain as it does in the Word 2007 text
formfield and be inaccessible - whether it should have been
deleted (as per Word 2000) or should have remained accessible (as per
Word 2003), I don't know. So, on that basis, it might be
worthwhile taking the issue up with MS.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]


Thanks Macropod.

Should I ask the customer to raise a ticket with Microsoft for this
issue or
is this how it should function?

Thanks
Veera

:

Hi Veera,

I don't have Word 2003 to test with, so I can't comment on what it
might do. I do know, though, that any mergefield you insert
into
a formfield in Word 2000 gets deleted as soon as the document is
protected. Since text formfields are incompatible with mailmerge
in
all Word versions, I'd have expected Word 2003 to behave in much
the
same way. If the mergefields remained with the protection on
and you were able to use & edit them, then all I can say is that
you
managed to find a bug in Word 2003 that you were able to
exploit to your advantage. IMHO, the fact that the mergefield
apparently remains (though inaccessible) in a protected text
formfield
in Word 2007 is a different bug - I also note that, if you update a
text formfield in Word 2007 when the document is in an
unprotected state, any mergefield within it gets deleted.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]


Thanks Macropod.

For the steps that I have mentioned, it is happening outside the
Java
application. I created a word document following the steps below
and
I get
the error. The test is without intercation from our application.

:

Hi Veera,

Since it's not possible to use Word's text formfields and
mailmerge
fields in the same document (any text formfields get
deleted
when the merge is executed) and your Java programs, which I
don't
have (and wouldn't even be able to interpret if I did), seem
to
be
at the heart of your process, I don't believe much would be
gained
by you sending the Word files to me. As I said my my
previous
post, this really does seem to be an issue with your Java
programs,
rather than being a Word problem, per se.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]


Hi Macropod,

I could send the document with the merge field inside a text
form
field to
show you the problem? How should I send this?

Or

you can the steps to insert a merge field inside Text For
Field.

1) In the design mode I selected Legacy Forms --> Text Form
Field. This
creates a gray text form field in the document with the cursor
in
the end.
Move the cursor to the front. This will put the cursor outside
the form
field. Now move one column to the right so that cursor is
inside
the field.
2) Select the Insert tab and click Quick Parts --> Field.
3) In the Field Names List select --> MergeField.
4) Enter say "Name" in the Field Name. This will create
<<Name>>
inside the
form field.
5) Select the Developer tab and click Protect Document. In
this
check Limit
formatting..., Allow only this type of editing.... and select
Filling in
Forms in drop down and then click Start protection.
6) With the document protected click inside the Text Form
Field
so that the
cursor is in the end. Now use the backspace to delete the
entry
in the form
field. It will delete any empty spaces available and when it
tries to the
delete the merge field we get "This is not a valid selection"
message.

We were able to do this in 2003.

Thanks in advance for any help in this matter.

:

Hi Veera,

You can't (and never have been able to) put a mergefield into
a
formfield. It seems to me your Java apps are trying to
simulate a
mailmerge via Java code. To resolve any issues in that
regard,
you'll need to examine that code - it's not apparently a
Word
problem, per se.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]


Hi Macropad,

Sorry for the confusion.

We have documents that contains "Text Form Field". Inside
these text form
fields we add MERGEFIELD (programatically in Java using
JACOB). The document
is protected allowing only editing form fields.

As part of another Java program we open the document
created
above and set
the values for the MERGEFIELD. The users can either use the
values populated
or remove and add their own values. This we were able to do
in
2003. In Word
2007 we are not able to delete the value populated and
enter
our another
value. It gives "This is not a valid selection" message.

Hope I am clear now.

:

Hi Veera,

This is getting confusing!

Now you're introducing mergefields. Mergefields are not
formfields and neither are they Date fields. Please be
clear
about
what
kind
of fields you're working with and what kind of document
they're in.

Are you working with a:
1. document containing formfields, that has forms
protection
applied;
2. mailmerge main document;
3. mailmerge output file; or
4. standard Word document with no formfields or
mergefields,
but perhaps other fields (eg Date)?
If it's:
.. 1, does the document also have fields that are not
formfields (eg Date fields, but not mergefields)?
.. 2 or 3, does the document also have formfields or
fields
that are not formfields (eg Date fields)?
If it's 1, 2 or 3 and the document also has fields that
are
not formfields, what kinds of fields are they and are
those
fields
in
a
protected Section of the document?
If it's 2 or 3 and the document also has formfields, what
kinds of formfields are they?

Note: the addition of the 'mergeformat' switch, which Word
sometimes adds to a field, does not make the field a
mergefield.


--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]


Hi Macropad,

Just for testing we used Date field. In the actual
template
we have merge
fields which when accessed thru' the application we
have,
will be populated
with actual values. The user then should be able to
modify
the values
populated with their own values. When they trying remove
the populated value
is when they are getting the error.

:

Hi Veera,

You mention a Word date field. These are not formfields
and are not editable in a Section protected for forms
in
any
version
of
Word.

Any formfields into which data can be input after
protection has been applied should remain editable
unless
there's
an
on-exit
macro
attached to the formfield to change it's editing
restrictions.

--
Cheers
macropod
[Microsoft MVP - Word]


message
We have created a Word document with a legacy text
form
field. We inserted a
word date field and protected the document allowing
Filling in Forms. After
protecting the document when we try going to the form
field and clicking on
back space to delete the entry we get "This is not a
valid selection" message
box.

We have existing word documents in 2003 with similar
form fields. We were
able to delete the entries and add new data. After
converting the documents
to 2007 or create new documents in 2007 and try to
delete the entries we get
the above error.


.