Hello -



I'm looking to create a letter template that has different signature options built in that I would choose the signature maybe from a drop down list, or something like that.

If something like this exists, I may also desire to expand this into having different letters also available in the drop down, so that by selecting one, it will generate the appropriate template.

So, one drop down list to select the letter template, then another drop down list within that template that selects the appropriate signature.

Thanks for any help!

I'm familiar with making smart templates, but the signature piece is puzzling. The signature would include a picture (scanned written signature), and then a few lines of contact information under it .

I would be doing the signatures by using a building block content control. See http://gregmaxey.com/word_tip_pages/...galleries.html for guidance.

I would then be using a userform to allow the user to select from the different letter options. This is far more advanced and might be a bridge too far unless you are comfortable with VBA.

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Andrew Lockton
Chrysalis Design, Melbourne Australia

I agree 100% with Andrew's response.

If the UserForm is too much for you to tackle right now, look into the AutoTextList field. This is older, very stable, technique. It does not require any vba programming. It will work in any version of Word beginning with Word 97, at least.

• AutoTextList field - How to add pop-up lists to any Word document, so you can click your way through changes in seconds
• Automated Boilerplate Using Microsoft Word

If you are up to it, though, a userform is far more powerful.

• Create & Employ a Userform
• Create a Simple Userform

If you are doing much template design userforms are worth investing the time to learn.
See also Templates in Microsoft Word.

Thanks all! I've bookmarked the VBA material to review. In the mean time, the Quick Parts/Auto-Text feature may hold me over until I have time to explore the building blocks idea.

Is there a way to save the auto-text in a location that multiple instances of Word would reference it? (I have two or three folks who would need to use this, and I can go around and update their Word individually, but if a single instance can be utilized, it would be more efficient).

Yes, in a Global Template or in the document template. The template for your letterhead would be the ideal place. If it will be used in documents based on multiple templates, then use a global template as the storage.

Very nice!! And, one last thing, is it possible to include headers and footers in quick parts? Maybe under the Cover Page option?

You can include them as AutoText or as Headers/Footers (or in any other Gallery you would like). If you include them as Headers/Footers, they will show up under Insert > Header/Insert > Footer. I would NOT include them in the Cover Page gallery, though.

Building Blocks & AutoText

I think you meant the "UserForm idea." Quick Parts is a meaningless term that someone in MS marketing came up with AutoText is a type of building block and Building Blocks are included in the Quick Parts button as are fields. Labeling something as a quick part doesn't communicate any useful meaning.

Charles, yes, I meant "userform"

Ok, great information and I really appreciate the time you spent to offer assistance!

If your building block includes a section break then it automatically includes header/footers. Therefore you can include a section break in your building block to also include the header and footer that goes with that content. The drawback of this is that the subsequent/final section of the document will retain the page setup and header/footer that was already present before the building block was inserted.

The mention above of the Cover Page functionality gave me a lightbulb moment . You could store each of your 'letters' as a building block assigned to the Cover Page type in order to provide a simple non-code method of inserting or switching letter content in the document. The Cover Page building blocks don't need to be a single page - they can contain multiple pages of content if your letters are like that.

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Andrew Lockton
Chrysalis Design, Melbourne Australia

I bow to Andrew's experience using the Cover Page building blocks.