Need Suggestions for placeholder template for certificates.

[mugentuner]

Basically we have a lot of certificates on expensive certificate paper. Each
one of these has a few fields that we usually type out manually on this paper
with a typewriter. We are looking to get a template that we could customize
with some sort of placeholder fields where we just enter the info we need and
then print it out on the certificate paper. Of course these custom fields on
the spreadsheet must line up with the certificate fields on the paper so i
know will take some adjustments. Can someone guide me on a template that we
could use or a very affordable program or Free program that could handle
this? Would be nice if it will integrate perfectly with Word. Will await
your response.

 

[Mary Sauer]

I've made thousands of certificates using Publisher. It is a matter of
measuring; printing on plain paper to be sure the text boxes are in the correct
places. Mail merge can be useful if you have many to print.
Have you checked with the manufacture of your certificates if they have a
template. Many do; PaperDirect comes to mind.

Serif has a free draw program.
http://www.freeserifsoftware.com/

 

[mugentuner]

Hi Mary,

Thanks for the useful discussion, i already have publisher so would like to
utilize that tool to help fill these certificates. My question to you would
be how do i create default highlighted text in the textboxes showing the user
what to enter in the text box and once they tab to that text box it
automatically highlights that text in order to be replaced by text that they
will key in? I've seen that method in other templates but have no ideas on
how to do it. Any help here would be appreciated as well. Thanks again.

 

[Mary Sauer]

Publisher hasn't the capability to produce default text like you see in the
wizards. You can use a series of linked text boxes. This works well with forms.
To go to the next text box use ctrl+shift+enter. You only have to do this once.
After you fill the first box, click the link, it will automatically take you to
the next box. You could put the directions on the scratch area.