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Ok, I will freely admit that I am a novice when it comes to Word Forms.

I have made a form for reporting to my various committees. Some of the items allow me to hit "return" and basically create a new paragraph or a bullet-list while others do not. I have gone back and deleted all of the form insert areas in question but there is still a difference in them. I am attaching the form below for review.

Thanks in advance.

Attached Files

Memo Template 04 20 2 version 6.docx (39.1 KB, 9 views)

Hi rdowney,

Your document uses Text Content Controls for data entry, plus one dropdown Content Control. There are two types of Text Content Control:
• Plain Text; and
• Rich Text.
Only with Plain Text Content Controls do you get the option to allow (or disallow) carriage returns.

Your Content Controls on rows 3, 4, 5 & 8 are all Rich Text Content Controls.

It would appear that you 'meeting date' Content Control should be a Date Picker Content Control, and a number of other Content Controls that are currently Plain Text should be Rich Text (or formatted to disallow carriage returns).

__________________
Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]

What is it you want?

Do you want to tab from item to item or have the tab key put into the area as another character?

Do you want people to be able to insert bullet points and numbered lists?

Are you familiar with the restrictions and advantages of the legacy form fields?

I am very unfamiliar with the restrictions and advantages of the legacy form fields. While I have been working with Word for years, I have never had any formal training, and hence I am unsure which is better for which application.

I think I would like to tab between fields, but also place bullet lists and number lists, while at the same time making sure I am using the spell check feature of Word.

Thanks so much for the responses.

Legacy form fields:
Difficult to spell-check - requires macro
tab from field to field
Cannot place bullet or numbered lists in field, can have fields in bullet or numbered lists
Cannot keep from entering carriage returns although you can keep more than one line of text from displaying.

Content controls:
Spell check automatic unless you take big steps to stop it.
Click from field to field
Can place bullet or numbered lists in Rich Text form field
Can keep plain text fields from accepting carriage returns

One other method you might want to examine is the MacroButton Field prompt. [Click here to type Name] It is used in a non-protected document (Word 97-2010) and typing replaces the field.
You go to the next field by either clicking on it or pressing the F11 key. Contents can be anything and you are limited to one line of text for the prompt.

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Might you have any suggestions on a book on this issue? Or perhaps I will look for an online class on this item.

Thanks again.

My favorite book on Word is Microsoft Word 2010 Bible by Herb Tyson.

Lynda.com has a good video tutorial on forms.

Check Greg Maxey's site. He has wonderful resources for forms (legacy and content controls). Microsoft Word Help, Tips and Tutorials @ The Anchorage Certainly download his legacy form controls Add-In Add Classic FormField Controls to Ribbon if you are going to be using legacy formfields. The lock button alone is worth the download.

I have a page I started on forms. The links in it are useful but the page is unfinished.
Making Forms with Microsoft Word Especially look at the links to Dian Chapman's acticles. These do not cover the new content controls but are a good discussion of how to build forms in Word.

Avoid ActiveX controls until you need them, they require programming and won't work for you unless macros are enabled.

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Thanks so much for the advice. I will look it up as I get a chance.

Have a great weekend!