How to Create a Fill in the Blank Word Document

Move to digital forms to minimize paper use.

While simply adding sections of underlined spaces makes it easy to print a fill-in-the-blank document in Word, often you need a more sophisticated answer. To create a digital version of this type of form, use the developer options available in Word 2010. These options enable a variety of checkboxes, drop-down selections and simple blanks into which your audience can type. Using these options enables you to gather data without having to print a form.

Instructions

1. Display the Developer tab. Select "File," "Options," and then "Customize Ribbon." From the choices to customize the ribbon, select "Main tabs," and then check the box for "Developer." Click "OK."

2. Use a template upon which to base your form. Select "File," and then "New." From the Office.com templates that display, choose "Forms" and then select the option that most closely matches the form you're making. Select that form template and select "Download." Select "File," and then "Save As" to save the template to a unique name.

3. Modify the template to your needs. From the Developer tab, select "Design Mode" from the Controls group and add the controls appropriate to your form. For example, add text controls, either rich or plain, to enable your audience to write lines of text on the form and format them. Add drop-down boxes that you populate and your audience selects from, or add check boxes to force specific selections.

4. Add instructions to make it clear what information blanks should capture. From the Developer tab, select "Design Mode" from the Controls group. Modify the content for any control you've added by clicking on it and revising the text. When finished, turn off "Design Mode."

5. Save your form by selecting "File," and then "Save" or clicking the Save icon.

References

• Microsoft: Create Forms That Users Complete or Print in Word