Using ASK/REF FILLIN or ???

[Ian]

Thought this was going to be simple.
Have a 2 page template order form to be used for different departments -
about four forms of variable data which is determined at run time - can't
pre-code in drop-downs.
I thought solution would be to use ASK to assign the value to a bookmark,
then REF to drop it in the doc where I want it.

Issues:
1. Have an ASK/REF at the top of each page, NOT in text boxes - identical
formats, different names.
In the doc created from the template, both insert the text properly - looks
ok. But in the template (looks untidy) ...
1st page field - The template shows "Error! Reference source not found."
while 2nd page field shows the text inserted when the template was created
and the ASK/REF dialog ran in the template.
Both 1st and 2nd page ASKs feed second REFs in a table which also works fine
in document create mode. In the template itself, the REF that refers to the
1st page ASK again reports "Error! Reference source not found." while the
2nd one is OK again.

2. The CRITICAL problem.
The ASK field also tries to populate a REF contained within a text box. This
returns "Error! Reference source not found." in the created document.
I can't get around using text boxes because of the layout. How do I populate
common REFs within them (one's a web address which is repeated numerous
times in the document (in text boxes)).

Does this sound easy ? or am I approaching it the wrong way or ? - all
sounded pretty easy at start.

Thanks in anticipation for the help, Ian.

 

[Graham Mayor]

If you are using ASK to create a bookmark then until it is created of course
there will be an error message in the template.
The text boxes will be a problem because they are not in the text layer of
the document. Either convert them to frames or replace them with table
cells - both of which are in the text layer.

I would approach this by creating an on-line form, if there was not much
editing in the document, or I would employ a userform to gather all the
information at the start and insert it where required. There is lots of info
on userforms on the Word MVP web site.

--
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Graham Mayor - Word MVP

My web site www.gmayor.com
Word MVP web site www.mvps.org/word
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[Ian]

Thanks Graham
Now understand 'text layer'
I've looked at the MVP site and userform seems the way to go.
However, I now have formatting issues. The text boxes were are aligned in
essentially two columns but with vastly differing heights and vertical
offsets (to each other). Have tried converting to frames without any success
at all in lining up box borders and have tried tables but the offsets and
lots of text make that impractical.
Is there a way to align frames properly once converted?
If this is an impractical question, thanks for the help with the earlier.
All helps with the understanding.

 

[Graham Mayor]

I guess it is going to have to be a table; with redundant cells, some merged
cells and some split cells, it should be possible to create the layout you
require. You don't have to put borders around all the cells The other
option of including frames in a two column section is a bit too fussy to
contemplate.

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

My web site www.gmayor.com
Word MVP web site www.mvps.org/word
<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><

 

[Charles Kenyon]

Also look into what Word calls an "online form." Check this in help. For
more about online forms, follow the links at
http://addbalance.com/word/wordwebresources.htm#Forms or
http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/Customization/FillinTheBlanks.htm especially Dian
Chapman's series of articles.

Hope this helps,