Question

Word: Create and use a form

Answer 1

Preparation: Display developer tools
1st step:
2nd step:
3rd step:
4th step
5th step:
Use a form template
1st step:
2nd step:
3rd step:
Create your own form template
1st step:
2nd step:
3rd step:
4th step:
Content controls overview
Brief instructions: Preparation: Display developer tools
Quick guide: Use a form template
Brief instructions: Create your own form template

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Do you want to know how to create and use a form in Microsoft Word? Then follow our instructions!

Microsoft Word makes it easy to create and use forms. Forms are digital forms that you can send to people electronically or printed out and have them filled out. You can save the Word forms you have created as templates and use them again and again. We'll show you how to use a form template and how to create your own.

• Preparation: Display developer tools
• Use a form template
• Create your own form template
• Content controls overview

Preparation: Display developer tools

Follow our step-by-step instructions or take a look at the brief instructions ..

1st step:

Open Word and click on " File " in the upper left corner .

2nd step:

At the bottom you can see the menu item " Options ". Click on it.

3rd step:

Now a new window will open. First, click on " Customize Ribbon " on the left . The right area now shows the " main tabs ".

4th step

Scroll down until you see Developer Tools.

5th step:

Check the box next to " Developer tools ". This means that they are now displayed as normal in Word. Otherwise they are hidden. Finally click " OK ".

Use a form template

Follow our step-by-step instructions or take a look at the brief instructions .

1st step:

For Word, click File . Then enter the term " Forms " in the search window and click on the magnifying glass symbol . All form templates are displayed.

2nd step:

On the right hand side there are different categories according to which the forms are sorted. When you 've decided on a form , click on it. A new window is opening up. Further details on the form are displayed here. When you're satisfied, click Create (Word 2013, 2016) or Download (Word 2010).

3rd step:

You will now see the form . All you have to do is fill it in. Finally, don't forget to click " Save ".

Create your own form template

Follow our step-by-step instructions or take a look at the brief instructions ..

1st step:

Open a blank document in Word. This can be done either via the small icon in the bar or via " File " and then " New ". If you've just opened Word, a blank document will automatically appear.

2nd step:

Then click on the " Developer " tab and activate draft mode . In the " Controls " area you will find various tools that will help you with the creation of forms. An overview with explanations of the respective tools can be found here.

3rd step:

When you're happy with your form, click File . Then select the " Save As " option .

4th step:

Depending on the version, you still have to click on " Browse ". A new window is opening up. Click on the menu to the right of " Save as type: " and select " Word template ". Then click on " Save ". You have now saved your form as a template and can use it again at any time.

Content controls overview

You can insert various content controls on your Word form. Here is a brief overview of the most common controls. You can easily build them into your Word form. You can also enter text regularly.

• Rich text content control: The rich text format is a format that, through its programming, can be displayed by various programs.
• Plain text content control: Here you only enter text without any formatting.
• Picture content control: You can insert a picture in this element. This can be your company logo, for example.
• Building Block Catalog Content Control: You can use this element to post building blocks. A module can be, for example, the text "Kind regards". You can then insert these modules again later instead of re-typing their entire content.
• Check box control: behind it you can enter your text. A customer can tick the box digitally or later by hand.
• Dropdown List Content Control: Allows you to create a dropdown menu. You can enter "Yes, No, Maybe" as options.
• Combo Box Content Control: This item is like a drop-down list content control. The difference is that the user can not only select elements in the menu, but can also enter element names himself. In this way, the user can search for a selection option more efficiently.
• Date Picker Content Control: This control allows you to select a date. For example, you can put it at the end of the document, where it usually says "place, date, signature". So your customer can automatically choose the correct date digitally.
• Repeating Sections Content Control: Lets you create sections that you can repeat as often as you like. This can be an employee list, for example, in which the persons should be entered with their first and last names, date of birth and personnel number.
• Legacy Form Tools: Find various legacy content controls.

Brief instructions: Preparation: Display developer tools

1. Open Word and click on " File " in the upper left corner .
2. Then select the bottom point " Options ".
3. Then navigate to " Customize Ribbon ". The " Main Tabs " are displayed on the right .
4. Scroll down and check the box next to " Developer Tools ".
5. Then click OK .

Quick guide: Use a form template

1. In Word, click File in the upper left corner .
2. Then enter " forms " in the search window and click the magnifying glass icon .
3. It will give you all form templates displayed. On the right side you will see different categories . When you have decided on a form , click on it.
4. A new window is opening up. Here you will find details about the selected form appears. To select it, click on " Create " (Word 2013, 2016) or " Download " (Word 2010).
5. The form opens. Now you can fill it out . Click " Save " when you're done.

Brief instructions: Create your own form template

1. Open a new document in Word.
2. Then click on the " Developer " tab and activate " Design mode ".
3. In the " Controls " area you will find various tools for creating forms. You can find an overview here.
4. When you're done, click File, then click Save As . Depending on the version, you may now have to click on " Search ".
5. A new window is opening up. Here click on the menu to the right of " Files of type: " to change the file type. Now select " Word template ".
6. Click on " Save ". The form you created was saved as a form template . You can now call it up again at any time .

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