I created a form using entry controls from the developer tab and was hoping I could create some validation and even tab order controls in order to, 1. control the user entries for "cleaner" information, and 2. to make sure users will fill out important information that is needed from this form. Example; I have a drop down choice control (Yes, No) box for users to select a choice and I need the control to not allow a null entry...User HAS to make a yes or no choice, or the form will cease to tab to the next form entry. Is this possible with maybe VB code or macro? The other part to this question is are there Tab order controls on a word form using fields/controls like I explained? Any help would be VERY much appreciated...thanks in advance!

The problem with macros for this type of task is that you cannot force users to run them and so the object is somewhat defeated.

You can probably do what you want with content controls and macros (see http://gregmaxey.com/word_tip_pages/..._controls.html) , but frankly if you are going to use macros, you might as well create a userform and use that to gather the data and fill the form. That will give you far more control ... though the essential problem with macros remains. Much depends on who will be filling the forms.

__________________
Graham Mayor - MS MVP (Word) (2002-2019)
Visit my web site for more programming tips and ready made processes www.gmayor.com

ok, you will have to forgive me for not knowing a lot of things and terms, so the term "userforms" you suggested...can you explain a bit about these or provide link(s) that may get me started in that direction? My main expertise has historically been in the access word, which I know very well how to handle this type of issue with data entry control...but I was hoping to handle this particular task in word based on the user needs here and not having the need for a database to store data...just achieve the document control that is being asked of me to develop this "form" for end users to be able to use.

Thanks in advance!
Eric

ok, I see it ....VB editor....I will try to figure this out. Been a while

hmmm....this may be a bit over my head I think. The one content control I need to have validated is a simple yes/no selection control that I need the user to answer, otherwise they will not be able to continue to tab to the next entry. So to validate the content control, which I named "ok to call Y-N" control should be the named control in the script, just not sure how to set it in the vb editor for the document. Any examples?? or can I get some help with a snipet? maybe email the document? Sorry to be a pain.

Option Explicit
Private Sub Document_ContentControlOnExit(ByVal CC As ContentControl, _
Cancel As Boolean)
Dim strTemp As String
Dim bGate1 As Boolean, bGate2 As Boolean, bGate3 As Boolean
Dim bGate4 As Boolean, bGate5 As Boolean, bValid As Boolean
Dim i As Long
Dim oRng As Word.Range
strTemp = CC.Range.Text
bValid = False
'If Application.Version < "14.0" Then Main.SetDeveloperTabActive
Select Case CC.Title
Case "ok to call Y-N"
If CC.ShowingPlaceholderText = True Or strTemp = "" Then
MsgBox "This field cannot be left blank."
'Makes CC mandatory. User can' exit until data is entered.
Cancel = True
End If
End Select
lbl_Exit:
Exit Sub
End Sub


still was able to tab through CC

__________________
Greg Maxey
Please visit my web site at http://www.gregmaxey.com/

I inserted that code. I still can tab through it. I know it is something I am doing wrong. Sorry to bug and thanks for the help thus far.

Did you try putting as Stop in that code to see if it is running when you Exit a CC? If it is and if the CC your are trying to tab out of is titled as shown in the code, then the Cancel = True statement should keep you from being able to exit out.

__________________
Greg Maxey
Please visit my web site at http://www.gregmaxey.com/

ok, at this point I am thinking I am totally in the wrong place for setting this up as a macro. As I look at this, I have to press the "visual Basic" tool to see my code. Is that correct or did I set this all up in the wrong place? and yes, it is ok to call me an idiot and that I don't know what I'm doing.

See http://www.gmayor.com/installing_macro.htm

__________________
Graham Mayor - MS MVP (Word) (2002-2019)
Visit my web site for more programming tips and ready made processes www.gmayor.com

Thank you !