How to auto insert text in multiple places?

[Dan Peterka]

This should be simple, but I can't see how to do it...

I want to create a simple text field that when filled in at the top of a
document, it is automatically propogated wherever that field is
referenced and displayed in multiple places throughout the document. I'd
like to also be able to alter the formatting to fit the location of the
field reference.

This would be similar to a field in a speadsheet. If you type a value in
A1, wherever you reference A1, the value is displayed or otherwise used
according to the local formatting/formula.

This is Office 2004.

 

[JE McGimpsey]

This should be simple, but I can't see how to do it...

I want to create a simple text field that when filled in at the top of a
document, it is automatically propogated wherever that field is
referenced and displayed in multiple places throughout the document. I'd
like to also be able to alter the formatting to fit the location of the
field reference.

This would be similar to a field in a speadsheet. If you type a value in
A1, wherever you reference A1, the value is displayed or otherwise used
according to the local formatting/formula.

This is Office 2004.

one way:

Insert an ASK field at the top of your document:

{ASK mybookmark "Enter simple text" \* MERGEFORMAT}


Where you want the text to appear, enter REF fields:

{REF mybookmark}

Select all, then hit F9 to bring up the ASK dialog and automatically
change the referenced text.

Instead of an ASK field, you can simply bookmark text (but if you delete
the bookmark, the REF fields will throw an error...

 

[Dan Peterka]

Tried your suggestion, but it's too awkward. I'm going to want several
fields that work the same way within the document and the ASK mechanism
is going to make it sort of Wizard-Like at best.

Isn't there some text variable kind of mechanism in Word? Define a named
text box that defines a value in one place and reference it everywhere
else? The Forms mechanism has part of the solution in creating a fill-in
field, but how does one go about inserting the field's current value
elsehwere?

Can it be done such that the user doesn't have to use some obscure
update command? i.e. filling in the field immediately changes all
occurences throughout the document?

 

[John McGhie]

Hi Dan:

Yes, there is. John's suggestion ought to have taken you to the Word help,
where you will find descriptions of a variety of fields you can use for this
purpose. The ASK mechanism tends to be the most convenient.

1) You use an ASK field to fill a bookmark.

2) You then create a Custom Document Property that you link to the content
of the bookmark.

3) You then insert the custom document property as a field wherever you
want it to appear.

Each time you click the ASK field, Word will prompt you for a new value,
fill the bookmark and populate the whole document with the new value.

Start with the " About fields" help topic. Word has a large selection of
fields.

Cheers

Tried your suggestion, but it's too awkward. I'm going to want several
fields that work the same way within the document and the ASK mechanism
is going to make it sort of Wizard-Like at best.

Isn't there some text variable kind of mechanism in Word? Define a named
text box that defines a value in one place and reference it everywhere
else? The Forms mechanism has part of the solution in creating a fill-in
field, but how does one go about inserting the field's current value
elsehwere?

Can it be done such that the user doesn't have to use some obscure
update command? i.e. filling in the field immediately changes all
occurences throughout the document?

--

Please reply to the newsgroup to maintain the thread. Please do not email
me unless I ask you to.

John McGhie <[email protected]>
Consultant Technical Writer
Sydney, Australia +61 4 1209 1410

 

[Shawn Larson [MSFT]]

This should be simple, but I can't see how to do it...

I want to create a simple text field that when filled in at the top of a
document, it is automatically propogated wherever that field is
referenced and displayed in multiple places throughout the document. I'd
like to also be able to alter the formatting to fit the location of the
field reference.

This would be similar to a field in a speadsheet. If you type a value in
A1, wherever you reference A1, the value is displayed or otherwise used
according to the local formatting/formula.

This is Office 2004.

Dan,

What you want is to reference a bookmark. Both the ASK field and FORM
fields work with bookmarks. An ASK field will display an input box
prompting you for input. That input is assigned to a bookmark. The same is
true for any of the 3 types of FORM fields, whatever value is entered for
the FORM field is assigned to the bookmark. You can see the FORM field
bookmark name by double-clicking on the FORM field (when the document is not
protected) and looking at its properties.

Now, it the other Œpart¹ of the document where you want to reference the
value, you need to insert a field and type the name of the bookmark. The
easiest way to insert a field is with the shortcut key COMMAND+F9, but watch
out that that does not interfere with any Expose settings. Within the field
code braces key-in the name of the bookmark.

Also, if you don¹t want to use either an ASK or FORM field, no problem.
Key-in the text you want to reference, select it, go to Insert, Bookmark and
create a bookmark. Insert a field and key-in the name of the bookmark where
ever you want to reference that value.

NOTE: These references to bookmarks will NOT AUTOMATICALLY update. You
will need to select the fields and update them via pressing F9, or selecting
the entire document and pressing F9 to update the fields.

--
Shawn Larson
M
Mac Word Test

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