I understand the "Developer" Tab, where one can add an Aa or Aa...but how do you freely "TAB" through each text box you created?

In the old days, I would add Aa, and "lock" the document by clicking a icon of a pad lock opened or closed. I have tried everything with Word 2013, and would appreciate any help/tips from the members. Thanks!

You're apparently referring to the use of content controls. If you apply 'no changes (read only' (with suitably-marked exceptions), or 'filling in forms', protection, users will be able to tab from one to the other, except in the case of 'Rich Text' and 'Quick Part' content controls.

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

Take a look at Create a Form Using Word Content Controls by Greg Maxey, MVP.

Thanks! But, in the old days, you could freely tab through the blanks on the document without entering any text. I guess that is gone now. Sad...it was so easy to create templates.

Did you read the page I linked?

It tells you how to do what you want to do.

When you say "in the old days, you could freely tab through the blanks on the document," you are referring to a legacy form using the old forms toolbar. (Word 2003 and earlier) I recommend against those controls and methods. You should be using content controls. When you properly restrict editing or group the controls (as set forth in the page I linked) you can tab from one to another.

If you use Rich Text controls, they can contain a tab, so you cannot simply tab from one to another. If you use Plain Text controls, (the second Aa) they will not have that problem.

Here is a sampler. See for yourself.
If in a plain text content control, tab will take you to the next control. If in a rich text control, tab will insert a tab character.

Attached Files

deleteme.docx (31.9 KB, 4 views)

That was only ever true if you were using a document with formfields and 'filling in forms' protection, neither of which you're using in your current document. Formfields limited you to the equivalent of plain text, checkbox, and dropdown, content controls - all of which behave in essentially the same way as formfields do. If you still want to use formfields, you can do so via the 'Legacy Tools' option.

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