protecting a document: allowing form completion AND comments?

[Barbara White]

using Word 2007 on Windows XP

I have a document with six sections. The first section contains a form;
the rest of the sections contain the document that the form refers to.

Is it possible to protect my document in this way:

.. section 1: the user can fill out a form
.. sections 2-5: the user can add Comments

It seems that I can only protect the document to enable either filling
out forms -or- the entering of comments. I can't figure out how to allow
both actions or, alternatively, allow one action in one section and
another action in a different section. Is that possible?

Before I lock the document, I can turn on Track Changes and then protect
the document to enable the forms. However, my reviewers will want to add
Word Comments v. inserting a comment as a tracked change.

Is there a way to do this?

 

[Dawn Crosier, Word MVP]

Hi Barbara -

Yes, you can do exactly what you want.
Select the Developer Tab
Click on Protect Document, and then choose Restrict Formatting and
Editing.
In the Editing Restrictions group of the Task Pane, place a checkmark in
"Allow only this type of editing in the document. From the combo box,
choose Filling in Forms. Now you should see a hyperlink "Select
Sections". When you click on the hyperlink, you will see a listing of
your sections. Clear the checkmarks from the sections you don't want
protected and then click OK and Start Enforcing Protection. You can
choose to use a password as well.

If you get stuck, be sure and let us know.

--
Dawn Crosier
Microsoft MVP
"Education Lasts a Lifetime"
This message is posted to a newsgroup. Please post replies and questions
to the newsgroup so that others can learn as well.

using Word 2007 on Windows XP

I have a document with six sections. The first section contains a form;
the rest of the sections contain the document that the form refers to.

Is it possible to protect my document in this way:

. section 1: the user can fill out a form
. sections 2-5: the user can add Comments

It seems that I can only protect the document to enable either filling
out forms -or- the entering of comments. I can't figure out how to allow
both actions or, alternatively, allow one action in one section and
another action in a different section. Is that possible?

Before I lock the document, I can turn on Track Changes and then protect
the document to enable the forms. However, my reviewers will want to add
Word Comments v. inserting a comment as a tracked change.

Is there a way to do this?

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.19.16/1251 - Release Date: 1/30/2008 9:29 AM

No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.19.16/1251 - Release Date:
1/30/2008 9:29 AM

 

[Barbara White]

Hi, Dawn,

Thanks so much for the help, but I couldn't get this to work completely...

I'm doing this with Word 2007 on Windows XP.

I think I followed the instructions carefully, but when I save the file
(a .dotm file) and then open a copy of it, while I can fill in the form
(in Section 1), I still cannot insert a new Comment anywhere in the
document.

To reach the Comments button, I'm going to the Review Tab, Comments
Group, and looking at "New Comment", but that button is grayed out.

I wonder if I missed something or if there is some other setting that I
might have configured to prevent Comments? I'd be grateful for any other
suggestions/input! Thanks so much.

 

[Dawn Crosier, Word MVP]

Hi Barbara -

I missed the point that you were trying to add comments from the Review
tab. Nope, you are locked out of those when you have document protection
turned on. Sorry. I thought you were adding text as comments within a
paragraph.

--
Dawn Crosier
Microsoft MVP
"Education Lasts a Lifetime"
This message is posted to a newsgroup. Please post replies and questions
to the newsgroup so that others can learn as well.

Hi, Dawn,

Thanks so much for the help, but I couldn't get this to work completely...

I'm doing this with Word 2007 on Windows XP.

I think I followed the instructions carefully, but when I save the file
(a .dotm file) and then open a copy of it, while I can fill in the form
(in Section 1), I still cannot insert a new Comment anywhere in the
document.

To reach the Comments button, I'm going to the Review Tab, Comments
Group, and looking at "New Comment", but that button is grayed out.

I wonder if I missed something or if there is some other setting that I
might have configured to prevent Comments? I'd be grateful for any other
suggestions/input! Thanks so much.

No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.19.17/1253 - Release Date:
1/31/2008 9:09 AM

 

[Barbara White]

Thanks, Dawn, for letting me know. They'll just have to settle for using
Tracked Changes. Thanks again.