Hi



Does anyone use the Word add-in "The Form Tool"

If yes what are your thoughts please?

Is this a macro based program?

Thanks

Rich
Word 2013

"The Form Tool" appears to use a combination of custom fields and macros. Its dependence on a table means its usefulness for documents that need printing is limited, as you'd need to exclude the input table (in most case) from the print range. And you probably couldn't send such a document out to someone else who doesn't have "The Form Tool" installed for them to complete the form. Ultimately, it does nothing Word can't already do with the tools it comes with (without needing to create an input table); it has its uses, but they're limited.

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

Rich,

Are you a lawyer or in a law office? I am a lawyer.

If you are willing to spend a bit of time, learn how to use Word's built-in features of Mail Merge and perhaps AutoText. I use mailmerge extensively in building customized documents for my clients. I have forms set up as main mailmerge documents. I have a datafile of my cases in Excel and use the Mail Merge function to input the data from the datafile for a client into one or more forms. Note, I do not do a final merge to a new document or printer. Rather the forms are Word templates.

When I create a new document based on the template a macro in the template switches the new document to a main mailmerge document and attaches the datafile. It opens a query box asking for the record I want.

This automatically fills in information about the client and case into the form. If I wanted, I could have ASK fields, particular to the form, to get information not in the datafile. What I end up with is a good rough draft which may be further customized to the particulars of the case.

I then use the "Start Mail Merge" button and make the document a normal Word document, breaking the link to the datafile, and save the document. I do not send this to clients or anyone as a Word document, rather I either use a printed copy or make it a PDF.

This is not a short path, but it has been satisfying to me. When a new file is opened, my secretary creates the data record as a part of setting up the file. This makes preparation of routine documents very quick and easy.

Note one of the primary rules of computers, though: GIGO. A mistake in that datafile will be replicated throughout your documents. I am sure that this also applies to "The Form Tool" or any other document automation tool.

Thank you for the replies...appreciated
Rich