Article ID: 291282
Article Last Modified on 5/7/2007
APPLIES TO
- Microsoft Word 2002 Standard Edition
This article was previously published under Q291282
For a Microsoft Word 2000 version of this article, see 238278.
IN THIS TASK
SUMMARY
This article describes how to create a simple form in a Word 2002 document that automatically prompts a user to fill in information.
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How to Create the Template
To create a template with automatic FILLIN fields, follow these steps:
- On the File menu, click New.
- In the New Document task pane, click General Templates under New from template. In the Templates dialog box, select the template that you want to use. Under Create New, click Template. Click OK.
- Create the FILLIN fields. To do this, use either of the following methods.Method 1: Create a Field by Using the Menus
- Position the insertion point where you want to insert the text field.
- On the Insert menu, click Field.
- In the Categories list, click Mail Merge.
- In the Field Names list, click Fill-in.
- In the Field properties box, type quotation marks around the message that you want to display. For example, use the following syntax to display a message that prompts users to enter a first and last name:
FILLIN "Please enter your first and last name."
- Click OK.
A sample of the message appears. Click OK to return to your document.
NOTE: To view the field code that you just inserted, press ALT+F9. - Repeat steps a through f for every place in the document where you want to insert a FILLIN field.
Method 2: Create a Field by Using Keystrokes
- Position the insertion point where you want to insert the field.
- Press CTRL+F9.
Field braces ({ }) appear in the document. - Position the insertion point inside the field braces.
- Type the following
where
FILLIN "
message"messageis the instruction that Word prompts the user with (about what to enter in this field).NOTE: If you press F9 while the insertion point is still on the field, you can see a sample of the message that will be displayed. You do not have to follow this step to create the FILLIN field.
- On the File menu, click Save As.
- Name the template appropriately.
How to Use the Template
To create new documents based on the new template, follow these steps:
- On the File menu, click New.
- In the New Document task pane, click General Templates.
- In the Templates dialog box, select your template, and then click OK.
Word creates a new document, automatically searches for all FILLIN fields in the document, and then starts to prompt the user for input.
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REFERENCES
You can also use SET and ASK fields in conjunction with FILLIN fields.
For more information about the SET field, click Microsoft Help on the Help menu, type Field codes: SET field in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topics returned.
For more information about the ASK field, click Microsoft Word Help on the Help menu, type Field codes: ASK field in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topics returned.
For more information about forms, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
291474 WD2002: How to update fields in a protected form in Word 2003 and in Word 2002
212378 WD: How to Control the Tabbing Order in a Form
212328 WD2000: How to Create an Online Form Using Form Fields
212101 WD2000: Ampersand Is Displayed Incorrectly in Drop-Down List Box
212080 WD2000: Length of Form Field Expands or Contracts, Affects Alignment
Additional query words: OfficeKBHowTo fillin field fields forms auto keyboard merge automatic automatically vba formfield inf
Keywords: kbfaq kbfield kbforms kbhowto kbhowtomaster KB291282
