We will show you how to create a simple fillable form in MS Word. This is perfect when you want to send out a survey or a competition.
Here, we will explain how to lock certain parts of the form so that users cannot change them. Other parts of the form will have restrictions to allow what the user can fill in. We will use content control for this fillable form.
Let us begin.
Method #1: Create a Basic Form
This method starts with the creation of a basic form, which we will then customize.
Step #1: Open MS Word
Open a new document in Word.
Step #2: Turn on Developer Mode
This linked article explains in detail how to Turn on Developer Mode in various ways. Otherwise, follow the brief instructions below.
Click on the File tab on the top main menu bar.
This opens the File menu.
Click on the Options tab at the bottom of the menu.
This opens the Word Options menu.
In the left-hand pane, click on Customize Ribbon to change the right-hand pane.
In the rightmost pane, click and select Developer.
Click on the OK button to close the Word Options menu.
You will now see a Developer tab in the main menu, which will be used shortly.
Step #3: Create the Basic Form
In the new document, create the basic requirements for the form:
Create a heading and a subheading.
Adjust the size, type, and color of the fonts for the heading and subheading according to your preferences.
Place a logo in the document.
Create statements for the form.
Create text boxes for the users to fill in.
Position and size the text boxes logically.
Below is a sample of our test form, displaying text boxes which we want the user to complete.
Step #4: Place Content Control on the Heading
Click and select the heading in your form.
Click on the Developer tab in the main menu bar to change the ribbon.
In the Developer ribbon, in the section Controls, click on the Rich Text Content Control icon.
Tip: Hover with your mouse over the icons to see their descriptions.
The heading in the document changes to show the content control.
Step #5: Protect the Heading
In the Controls section, click on the Properties option.
The Content Control Properties dialog box will open.
Under Locking, click and select Content control cannot be deleted.
Under Locking, click and select Contents cannot be edited.
Click on the OK button to close the dialog box.
The user will not be able to change or delete the heading in the form.
Step #6: Place Content Control on the Sub-Heading
Click and select the sub-heading in your form.
Click on the Developer tab in the main menu bar to change the ribbon.
In the Developer Ribbon, in the section Controls, click on the Rich Text Content Control icon.
Tip: Hover with your mouse over the icons to see their descriptions.
The sub-heading in the document changes to show the content control.
Step #7: Protect the Sub-Heading
In the Controls section, click on the Properties option.
The Content Control Properties dialog box will open.
Under Locking, click and select Content control cannot be deleted.
Under Locking, click and select Contents cannot be edited.
Click on the OK button to close the dialog box.
The user will not be able to change or delete the sub-heading in the form.
Step #8: Place Content Control on the Image (or logo)
Click and select the logo/image in your form.
Click on the Developer tab in the main menu bar to change the ribbon.
In the section Controls, click on the Picture Content Control icon.
Tip: Hover with your mouse over the icons to see their descriptions.
The logo/image in the document changes to show the content control.
Step #9: Protect the Logo
In the Controls section, click on the Properties option.
The Content Control Properties dialog box will open.
Under Locking, click and select Content control cannot be deleted.
Under Locking, click and select Contents cannot be edited.
Click on the OK button to close the dialog box.
The user will not be able to change or delete the image/logo in the form.
Step #10: Place Content Control on the Statements
Click and select the first statement in your form.
Click on the Developer tab in the main menu bar to change the ribbon.
In the section Controls, click on the Plain Text Content Control icon.
Tip: Hover with your mouse over the icons to see their descriptions.
The statement in the document changes to show the content control.
Step #11: Protect the Statement
In the Controls section, click on the Properties option.
The Content Control Properties dialog box will open.
Under Locking, click and select Content control cannot be deleted.
Under Locking, click and select Contents cannot be edited.
Click on the OK button to close the dialog box.
The user will not be able to change or delete the statement in the form.
Repeat this step for all other statements in the form.
Step #12: Place Content Control on Plain Text Entry
Click inside the first plain text entry box in your form.
Click on the Developer tab in the main menu bar to change the ribbon.
In the section Controls, click on the Plain Text Content Control icon.
Tip: Hover with your mouse over the icons to see their descriptions.
The plain text entry in the document changes to show the content control.
Step #13: Protect the Plain Entry Text
In the Controls section, click on the Properties option.
The Content Control Properties dialog box will open.
Under Locking, click and select Content control cannot be deleted.
Click on the OK button to close the dialog box.
Users will not be able to delete the control in the form, but they will be able to edit it.
Repeat this step for any other plain text entry in your form.
Step #14: Place Content Control on Date Entry
Click inside the first date entry box in your form.
Click on the Developer tab in the main menu bar to change the ribbon.
In the section Controls, click on the Date Picker Content Control icon.
Tip: Hover with your mouse over the icons to see their descriptions.
The date entry box in the document changes to show the content control.
Step #15: Protect the Date Entry
In the Controls section, click on the Properties option.
The Content Control Properties dialog box will open.
Under Locking, click and select Content control cannot be deleted.
Under Display the date like this: click on a suitable date format.
Click on the OK button to close the dialog box.
Users will not be able to delete the control in the form, but they will be able to edit it.
Repeat this step for any other date entry in your form.
Step #16: Place Content Control on Drop-Down List
Click inside the first drop-down list box in your form.
Click on the Developer tab in the main menu bar to change the ribbon.
In the section Controls, click on the Drop-Down List Content Control icon.
Tip: Hover with your mouse over the icons to see their descriptions.
The drop-down list in the document changes to show the content control.
Step #17: Protect the Drop-Down List
In the Controls section, click on the Properties option.
The Content Control Properties dialog box will open.
Under Locking, click and select Content control cannot be deleted.
Under Drop-Down List Properties, click on the Add… button.
The Add Choice dialog box will open.
Enter the first item in the list against Display Name:.
Click on the OK button to close the dialog box.
Click again on the Add… button for entering other items on the list.
Click on the OK button to close the Content Control Properties dialog box.
Users will not be able to delete the control in the form, but they will be able to select from the drop-down list.
Repeat this step for any other drop-down list entry in your form.
Step #18: Check the Final Form
Finally, your form should look like this.
In the Controls section, click on the Design Mode option.
The Content Control Properties will show in the document.
You can verify that you have not missed placing any content control.
In the Controls section, click on the Design Mode option to remove the content control properties.
Step #19: Fill in the Form
The filled-in form should look like this.
Conclusion
We have shown you in simple, step-by-step instructions how you can create a fillable form in Word. We have also shown you how to protect various entries. This will allow readers of the form to only change certain fields.