Data dependant on checkboxes?

[ryanf]

I have tried to look for this issue in other threads, but have not been able to find anything. However I am not sure what this issue might be called, so my ability to search for it is limited. Hopefully this question has not been asked elsewhere.



Anyway, I am trying to make a form letter in Word, which I have done many times in the past. While working on this particular letter I realized it would cut down on space significantly if there was a way to make a certain set of text and form fields appear when a particular text box or drop down list item is selected, and another set appear when a different item is selected.

The specific example for what I am trying to do is for an internal document giving information on upcoming Mediations. If the claimant is represented by an attorney, then there needs to be a form field for that attorney's name and contact info. If there is not an attorney, then there needs to be a field for the claimant's contact info. In any situation only one or the other of these will need to be filled out, and the other is not necessary. If those fields could disappear when not needed, that would be ideal.

I have been brainstorming on a possible way to do this for a while, but the only thing I can think of would be some sort of hybrid mail merge sort of thing, but that seems overly complicated, and the idea was to make it as user friendly as possible.

I am trying to find out if there is something build into Word that could achieve this. I am mostly self taught as far as Microsoft Office, but I am pretty good at figuring things out, however this one has eluded me. If any additional info is needed please let me know. Thanks.

[macropod]

Hi ryanf,

IMHO, the better way to approach this would be to have two templates - one for clients with attorneys and one for clients without attorneys. Trying to configure a document with fields that appear only when certain conditions are met is a whole lot more complicated. It also imposes numerous other editing restrictions on the document. For an example, see: https://www.msofficeforums.com/word/...html#post30792

[ryanf]

Thats what I needed to know. Thanks very much.