Hi



I'm trying to design a form using different kind of controls, like simple text fields (these directly present in the developer tab) and some activeX controls like option buttons.



Here my simple form in example :



Once "restrict Editing" is set to "Filling in forms" only, i've got a strange behavior :
you're able to modify all the text fields, until you click an option buton, and then the text fields will become unchangeable

Please have a look at the video a made here
Sorry, word is in french but you'll understand my problem

Or just play with my word file, see attached.

I managed to get the textbox editable again by pressing SHIFT+TAB to higlight the textbox. Looks like a "focus" problem.

I must say that if I deactivate the editing restriction, it is working fine that way.

If you have an idea, I looked through different forums but couldn't find anything that explains this behavior.

Thanks
Rod

Attached Files

word form.docx (22.8 KB, 2 views)

I tested your form and used tab and spacebar to select/unselect an option and it worked fine so I was wondering what was different. Then I found that using the mouse to move around in the fields when leaving the option buttons is where the problem arises. So I agree with you that it appears to be a focus problem and I don't know if there is a fix without using macros.

Instead, I would recommend you replace the ActiveX option buttons with the Content Control alternative - a Dropdown List Content Control is the most similar in functionality. I have no idea why Microsoft hasn't implemented an Option button equivalent in Content Controls - it seems like it would make a lot of sense for them to do so.

__________________
Andrew Lockton
Chrysalis Design, Melbourne Australia

Try the attached. I changed the protection. Removed the Filling in Forms protection (which in my opinion should seldom be used with anything except legacy forms) and instead selected everything and applied a Group Content Control from the Developer Tab.

Seems to work fine.


The following references may be helpful but do not refer to your problem directly.

• Create a Form Using Word Content Controls by Greg Maxey
• Making Forms with Microsoft Word

If you need password protection (which is not that strong anyway) you could also have it set for No Changes, with exceptions for your option buttons and your Content Controls.

Attached Files

deleteme word form.docx (23.1 KB, 2 views)

I can confirm that Charles' solution works for me too so that gives you a solution that better aligns with your original request and doesn't require any form redesign. However it has a secondary effect that you may want to consider. It doesn't allow the user to use Tab or Shift-Tab to move between form fields.

So I guess you need to decide if the majority of your users move around the form with Tab or with the Mouse.

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Andrew Lockton
Chrysalis Design, Melbourne Australia

This is an artifact, at least, in part, of using a Rich Text CC rather than a plain text CC. Rich Text controls capture the tab as a character inside the control.

Thank you guys for this collegial response, it will do the job perfectly !
Rod