How To: Create And Customise Interactive Form Word Templates

For easy information consolidation, Microsoft Word allows users to create interactive fillable forms and distribute them. To begin doing so, users are encouraged to start with a template so that editing can be easier. Once the templates are loaded and used, the content controls can then be added and customised accordingly. Here’s a concise breakdown of how to create fillable form Word templates:

First, locate the developer tab in Microsoft Word. Under the file tab, scroll through until you locate the Options choice. You can then select the customise ribbon selection. This will allow you to select the option to reveal and display the developer tab in your Microsoft Word software’s ribbon tab for easy access. This is a recommended step, although it’s optional, since you will be relying on the developer tab section rather heavily.

Next, open up the template of your choice. This template will essentially function as the base of your fillable form. You can find form templates in Microsoft Word resources. Simply locate the Search Online Templates box and type in whatever type of template you wish to use. Press Enter and you will be given access to different template designs. Choose the relevant Word templates and select the create option so you can start with placing in content.

Choose the developer tab once more and look for Design mode- this is where you will be able to manually insert controls you would want on your fillable form. Before proceeding further, it would be prudent for Microsoft Word users to decide on the structure and draft one out first. Users can choose the relevant controls to insert what they require. For example- text controls for text input (plain text content control for limitations to what users can do or rich text content control for more formatting and information), picture controls, content control, building block control and more!

Designate the location where the appointed choice should be inserted and edit the content control to your requirements. Most features are more or less straightforward, but there are also content controls like combo boxes, drop down lists, date pickers and others that require more care.

Combo boxes and drop down lists are essentially similar. The only difference is that drop down lists are restricted so that users can only choose from arranged list options while combo boxes allow them to type their own information in apart from choosing. By accessing the developer tab and choosing the relevant content control options, users can further customise by choosing the properties choice.

Begin creating selection choices by selecting the Add under drop down list property option and typing in the selection choices manually. Keep repeating this step until all choices are inserted into your Word templates. Take the opportunity to finish adding other properties. To finalise everything by setting or changing the content controls, look for the content control and look for properties once more to change it.

To finish up your fillable form Word templates, make sure to add instructions as a clear guide that shows users what to do. This way, you can guarantee the usefulness of your form. In order to customise the instructions, look under the design mode of your developer tab and choose the content control that contains your placeholder instructional text. You can then format it however you want.

Once you have ascertained that all elements in your fillable form are complete with no further need for changes, turn off design mode in your developer tab and save. To customise, limit and safeguard your fillable form, use the restrict editing motion. Locate the home tab, choose select all and locate the developer option once more. This will enable you to restrict editing in your Word templates.