FILLIN Field and Word Template -> Blank document :(

[JMP]

Hi gurus,

I am trying to create a word document template that prompts the user for
informations when creating the document. I have managed to create a template
using the { FILLIN "Enter you name" } kind of field. So when the user
creates
a document from the template, the user is prompted for "Enter Your Name".
However, at this point, the document behind (in word) is still blank
(nothing
from the default text). It is only after the user has answered all the
questions that the document is shown.

Is there any way to show the document in the background when the user in
prompted for the fields ?

Many thanks

JM

 

[Graham Mayor]

Use macrobutton fields - http://www.gmayor.com/Macrobutton.htm or create an
on-line form.

--
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Graham Mayor - Word MVP


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

 

[Dian D. Chapman, MVP]

You might want to check out my series of free Forms articles,
particularly the "Please Fill Out This Form" series...which starts at
a newbie level through database connectivity. It'll show you how to
get these forms working properly.

You can find that series, and many other forms article here:

http://www.mousetrax.com/techpage.html#autoforms

Dian D. Chapman, Technical Consultant
Microsoft MVP, MOS Certified
Editor/TechTrax Ezine

Free MS Tutorials: http://www.mousetrax.com/techtrax
Free Word eBook: http://www.mousetrax.com/books.html
Optimize your business docs: http://www.mousetrax.com/consulting
Learn VBA the easy way: http://www.mousetrax.com/techcourses.html

 

[JMP]

Whaooo...

Don't you think all this is over the top ???

I just want to use the {FILLIN} field... simply because... this is simple
(don't anyone love simple stuff anymore)

The only Pb I have is: why is the document displayed AFTER the user is
prompted for the info instead of BEFORE.... otherwise, the {FILLIN} field
does the job just as I want it....

Note that:
- If the template is in 'Normal View' instead of 'Print View', it works as I
would expect
- If I take the 'Professional Fax' template as a starting point, and add my
{FILLIN} field into it, it works as expected despite the fact this is a
'Print View' view...

So why taking the big vbapons out just for this? Ok, I know, vba rocks blah
blah blah and you can do plenty of fancy stuff with it....blah blah blah...

But can't anyone have a simple solution ?

Pleeaaaaseeeee....

Mane Thanks

JM

 

[Dian D. Chapman, MVP]

Sorry, I can't help you there cos' I never bothered to use the Fillin
field since using form fields is so much easier and more straight
forward, IMO...vba included or not.

Here's a different article you might want to check out:

How to create a template that makes it easy for users to "fill in the
blanks", without doing any programming
http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/Customization/FillinTheBlanks.htm

Good luck...

Dian D. Chapman, Technical Consultant
Microsoft MVP, MOS Certified
Editor/TechTrax Ezine

Free MS Tutorials: http://www.mousetrax.com/techtrax
Free Word eBook: http://www.mousetrax.com/books.html
Optimize your business docs: http://www.mousetrax.com/consulting
Learn VBA the easy way: http://www.mousetrax.com/techcourses.html

 

[Doug Robbins]

No. Almost certainly at some time in the future you will find it well worth
while knowing how to do more than use {FILLIN} fields.

--
Please respond to the Newsgroup for the benefit of others who may be
interested. Questions sent directly to me will only be answered on a paid
consulting basis.

Hope this helps,
Doug Robbins - Word MVP

 

[Charles Kenyon]

The brief answer to your question is: no. Fill-In fields can be used, but
they are a klutz. Someone at Microsoft decided that since WP had Fill-In
fields, Word needed them, too. The suggestions of Graham Mayor and Dian
Chapman should be followed up on if you want to make your users happy and
productive. Both macrobutton fields and online forms can give you a lot more
for your time and neither require use of macros. Here are some more links.

http://addbalance.com/usersguide/fields.htm#macrobutton

http://addbalance.com/word/wordwebresources.htm#Forms

If you really want to use Fill-In fields you can download a tutorial on them
(and their cousin, the ASK field) from
http://addbalance.com/word/download.htm.

If you are going to use online forms I strongly recommend that you invest
the time needed to go through Dian Chapman's articles. You'll be glad you
did.

Hope this helps,

 

[Dian D. Chapman, MVP]

Why thank you, Charles! ;-)

Dian ~

 

[JMP]

Thanks for all the info...

To sumarize: don't use the FILLIN Field... learn forms.... This may explain
why M$ never bothered with my little issue....

That's life I guess....

Oh, BTW, why do I want to use FILLIN? Well, I have this quick 10 min
challenge to complete: to teach some basic users how to create an
interactive form (a stupid request, but not my call)... and you know wha' ?
10 min is never going to be near enough to go through Dian's excellent
article.

Although I do agree forms and custom dialog are a far superior solution,
this is not a 10 min presentation for dummies.... hence the {FILLIN}
field....

Thanks...

JM

 

[Beth Melton]

The simple solution is to use a little VBA to make sure your document
is in Print Layout View.

But I gather by the 'blah blah blahs' you aren't interested in taking
this route.

And no, it's not just for 'fancy stuff' it's for making what you want
to have happen, happen.

Please post all follow-up questions to the newsgroup. Requests for
assistance by email can not be acknowledged.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beth Melton
Microsoft Office MVP

Word FAQ: http://mvps.org/word
TechTrax eZine: http://mousetrax.com/techtrax/
MVP FAQ site: http://mvps.org/

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

No VBA should be required. If the template is saved in Print Layout view, it
will open in Print Layout view. FWIW, I've noticed this same discrepancy
with UserForms that run on an AutoNew command.

 

[Charles Kenyon]

I use ASK and Fill-In fields. I just don't use them often since I learned to
make a simple UserForm. Did you read Suzanne's response about saving your
template in Print View?