#1
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How to know if people will be able to edit my word files
Hi,
I'm creating word files to sell as stationery templates for digital download. I've created them on word 2016 but when my sister tried to open them on her computer (using word 2013 for Mac) she could only edit some of the text boxes and couldn't change the color. I don't know many people who have MS Word so can't test my files out that way. Is there a way I can test different versions of Word without buying each version or getting lots of people to try editing my files? Or is there a way I can be sure that earlier versions of Word will be able to open and edit my files? How can I know what the earliest acceptable version of Word would be? I originally had each invitation grouped but wondered if it would be better for customer editability to leave everything ungrouped? Any ideas would be soooooooooooo appreciated! (Editing to say... would it be less problematic to use Adobe Acrobat Pro so I know everyone's got access to the same editing tool?) |
#2
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More people, I suspect, have access to some version of Word than to Acrobat.
If you want your templates to be something that can be edited in Word 2003, write them in that. That is the old file format and can be used by all versions since then. It is missing some great features, though, including Content Controls. Repeating Data Using Document Properties Content Controls and Other Mapped Content Controls |
#3
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Quote:
So, if I create them in Word 2008 for example, does that mean all later versions can edit them just fine? Would I then have more features than if I used 2003? Most people I see who are creating these files say their customers need Word 2008 or 2010 and later. Thank you so much for the advice. I'll go check out what content controls I'd have in 2003. One thing though, isn't Acrobat reader free and easy for people to download? I'm a fan of editability and features myself but wonder if other people get a bit overwhelmed with all the choice? 😁 |
#4
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Quote:
I also note your reference to Word 2008. That version lacked macro support so, if your templates need to work with Word 2008, you'll need your templates to work properly without recourse to macros.
__________________
Cheers, Paul Edstein [Fmr MS MVP - Word] |
#5
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Yes, but you can't edit documents with it. Even editing with Adobat Acrobat Pro is a pain; it's just not designed to work like a Word processor.
__________________
Cheers, Paul Edstein [Fmr MS MVP - Word] |
#6
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You'll have no content controls. Look into MacroButton Fields for placeholder text. Acrobat reader is free, so is Word reader; neither work for editing. They work fine for printing something already done. |
#7
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text boxes and macros
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To make a text box I just click 'Insert' and then choose a 'text box'. Its a square that I choose the size and position of then fill in with text. My customers can change the text and the position/size of the box too. I had to google what macros were (I'm a newbie but keen and quick to learn) and I won't be needing those. I'll be using simple text boxes, shapes and the pen drawing tool. |
#8
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Acrobat Pro is a pain
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As far as I can gather from online tutorials, I would create my main artwork design in Illustrator and then save as a PDF without any text. Then just add form fields in Acrobat Pro where I want text to appear. I don't really like the frustrating limits of Acrobat Pro so if I can get Word to work right for everyone who had 2010 or later I think I'd be happier with that. |
#9
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Content controls
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I would use the form generator function on Acrobat Pro to create editable text fields so the text would be editable although it's hard to set up a set of pre-specified text boxes to suit every possibility for a customer. I'm thinking Word really would be the better option. If I created my files in 2010 does anyone know if it has the ability for me to create free-form shapes and/or a free-hand pen tool? I have a graphics tablet so can draw straight into 2016 and it works quite well although it can become a big file very quickly which is a real limitation. |
#10
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You'd only use PDFs with fields if the intention is for users to do more than fill in some blanks - but then you're not really distributing templates but fillable forms. If that's what you intend, you could use LibreOffice's Writer application, instead of Word, to create the document. As I understand it, formfields created in LibreOffice's Writer convert to functional PDF fields when saved in that format. Word's inability to do so is probably related to licensing issues with Adobe.
__________________
Cheers, Paul Edstein [Fmr MS MVP - Word] |
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