How to Create a Basic Form in a Word Document

This article shows you how to insert a form in Microsoft Word adding check boxes and text fields. How do I place or create a form in my document using Microsoft Word's form function?

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Display Forms option on your document.

1. 
    
   Display Forms Toolbar

   It’s easy to design a basic form in Microsoft Word.
   <-<-< From the View menu, select Toolbars, then select Forms.
   
   This displays the Microsoft Forms toolbox. With a simple click on a button, each icon on the toolbox helps you create a field in your form.

2. 
    
   Add Text Field and Check Box

   To insert a text box where users can type in requested information, place your cursor in your document where you want the field to be, and
   <-<-<-Click the Text Form Field (abl) icon on the Forms toolbox.
   
   To insert a check box in your form, place your cursor (mouse) where you want the check box to appear, and click the check box icon.
   
   Notice that the form field shading [a] box is selected. This produces a gray shading to indicate to users where to type when filling out the form online. The gray area will expand as the user types in requested information. This gray shading does not appear when the form is printed.

3. 
    
   Basic Form Design

   <-<-<-Example of basic form fields inserted into an MS Word document.
   
   Remember: You can choose to have the fields gray shaded so users see where to enter information when using the computerized form. This shading does not show up when the form is printed.

4. 
    
   Protect Form

   Protect your form fields while you are designing the form.
   <-<-<-Click on the lock icon (Protect Form Field).
   
   This lets you test the fields during the design phase. If you want to make changes to a field, you will need to click the lock icon off again.

5. 
    
   Protect Document

   Prevent users from making changes to your form after you distribute it.
   <-<-<-On the menu bar, select Tools, then select Protect Document.
   
   This will allow you to protect the entire document so users cannot make changes to your form.

6. 
    
   Password Protect

   A Protect Document password box will display.
   <-<-<- Make sure the Forms option button is selected.
   
   Optional: Type in a password you can easily remember, and click the OK button. [Be careful. The password is case-sensitive. If you use a capital letter(s), when you retype your password in the future, it must be exactly as you typed it in originally, including any capital letter.]

7. 
    
   Lock Document Protection

   <-<-<-If you used Document Protect, you will be asked to reenter (confirm) your password.
   
   The Caution note warns you to keep the password in a safe place. If you forget the password, it cannot be recovered, and you will not be able to unprotect the document without your password.

Tips & Warnings

• If creating the form for use online, use the shading form field.
• Lock (protect) your form while designing and test how your fields will work.
• Protect your Word document before distributing it to users. (See step 5.)
• If you have many fields and features, use tables when designing your form.

Resources

• Basic Office Software articles