Here is my dilemma,

My work uses forms which are approved by administration and were made on word, I have attached a sample of what the form looks like.

However, the form typically has text boxes over each of the required fields which need to be completed. This is rather time consuming and I'd prefer that instead of clicking I could simply lock the form and use content controls in the desired data-input locations.

The problem is that I need the form to not look altered in any way. It must be a user upgrade, not an amendment to the form structure. Everyone in a business with administration knows what a headache that can cause.

I've played with the content controls, the legacy form fields, but my problem is the same. They push the already existing text fields over changing the appearance of the form. The large blank sections need a "rich text content control" however once the first line is filled it bumps down the entire form.

I've experimented with Tables, trying to make the entire current form a watermark, trying to keep the text boxes but inserting content controls (doesn't work). Am I missing something obvious? Is there anyway to make the content controls appear in front of the text like a picture or text box? Or is there anyway to make all the current text a layer, then build a second layer on top of that?

TLDR: Using sample form, how do I use content controls without changing the appearance of the form or pushing existing text lines down to the next return line?

Attached Files

Sample.docx (16.8 KB, 17 views)