Microsoft KB Archive/238278

Knowledge Base

HOW TO: Create an Automated Form with Fill-in Fields in Word 2000

Article ID: 238278

Article Last Modified on 10/27/2002

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APPLIES TO

• Microsoft Word 2000 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q238278

For a Microsoft Word 2002 version of this article, see 291282.

IN THIS TASK

SUMMARY Create a Template With Automatic Fill-in Fields

• Method 1: Create a Field by Using the Menus
• Method 2: Create a Field by Using Keystrokes

How to Use the Template REFERENCES

SUMMARY

This article explains how to create a simple form that automatically prompts a user to fill in information.

Create a Template With Automatic Fill-in Fields

To create a template with automatic Fill-in fields, follow these steps:

1. On the File menu, click New, and then click Blank Document.
2. Under Create New, click Template. Click OK.
3. Create the Fill-in fields.
   

There are two methods that you can use to create Fill-in fields: menus and keystrokes. Select the method best suited for your circumstances.

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Method 1: Create a Field by Using the Menus

1. Position the insertion point where you want to insert the text field.
2. On the Insert menu, click Field.
3. In the Categories list, click Mail Merge.
4. In the Field Names list, click Fill-in.
5. The FILLIN field is displayed in the Field codes text box below the Categories list. Click inside the text box to the right of the word FILLIN, and then type quotation marks around the message that you want to display. For example, use the following syntax to display a message that asks the user to enter a first and last name:

   FILLIN "Please enter your first and last name."

6. Click OK. You then see a sample of the message. Click OK to return to your document.
   
   NOTE: To view the field code that you just inserted, press ALT+F9.
7. Repeat steps 1 through 6 for every place in the document that you want a FILLIN field.

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Method 2: Create a Field by Using Keystrokes

1. Position the insertion point where you want to insert the field.
2. Press CTRL+F9. Field braces ({ }) appear in the document.
3. Position the insertion point inside the field braces.
4. Type the following, where message is the instruction that Word prompts the user with (about what to enter in this field):

   FILLIN "message"

   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. This step is not necessary to create the FILLIN field.

5. On the File menu, click Save As.
6. Name the template appropriately.

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How to Use the Template

To create new documents based on the new template, follow these steps:

1. On the File menu, click New.
2. Select your template.
3. Click OK.

Word creates a new document, automatically searches for all FILLIN fields in the document, and then begins 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 additional information about forms, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

212328 WD2000: How to Create an Online Form Using Form Fields

212378 WD2000: How to Control the Tabbing Order in a Form

212101 WD2000: Ampersand Is Displayed Incorrectly in Drop-Down List Box

212080 WD2000: Length of Form Field Expands or Contracts, Affects Alignment

212356 WD2000: How to Update Fields in a Protected Form

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.

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Additional query words: fillin field fields forms auto keyboard merge automatic automatically vba formfield

Keywords: kbhowto kbhowtomaster kbfield kbfaq KB238278

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