How To Create A Fillable Form In Microsoft Word (Create HR Template Forms) Part 1, by Sharon Smith on YouTube. 6 min 11 s.
- Video length
- 6 min 11 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Open Word and turn on the Developer tab. Go to File, Options, Customize Ribbon and tick Developer in the right-hand list. On Mac, open Word, Preferences, Ribbon and Toolbar and tick Developer.
Type your form labels and headings, such as Name, Department and Status, and leave space after each label for the field you will insert.
Place your cursor where a text answer goes. On the Developer tab, click Legacy Tools and choose the Text Form Field button, the small ab icon.
Format the field by selecting it and changing the font size or style on the Home tab, just like normal text.
To reuse a field, select the formatted field, copy it with Ctrl+C and paste it with Ctrl+V where you need the same field again.
For a fixed list of answers, click Legacy Tools and choose the Drop-Down Form Field button. Then click Properties, type each option in the Drop-down item box and click Add.
For yes or no answers, click Legacy Tools and choose the Check Box Form Field button where you want the box to appear.
When the form is built, click Restrict Editing on the Developer tab. Tick Allow only this type of editing, pick Filling in forms, then click Yes, Start Enforcing Protection and set a password if you want.
To change the form later, click Stop Protection, enter the password, make your edits and turn protection back on.
Tips and common mistakes
If the Legacy Tools buttons are greyed out, you are probably still editing in a protected area, so stop protection first.
Keep drop-down options short so the list stays readable inside the field.
Save a copy of the unprotected form as your master file before you lock it.
Test the form by filling it in yourself before you send it out.
Questions
Where is the Developer tab in Word?
It is hidden by default. Turn it on in File, Options, Customize Ribbon and tick the Developer box on the right.
Why can't I type in my form after protecting it?
That is expected. Protection limits editing to the form fields only. Click Stop Protection on the Developer tab to edit the layout again.
Can I add a date picker or picture field?
Yes. The same Legacy Tools menu has date and picture options, and the newer content controls on the Developer tab work too.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
