Microsoft® Word 2007 Bible

Chapter 44. Forms

IN THIS CHAPTER

• Legacy form fields versus content control

• Design mode

• Creating forms using legacy tools

• Creating templates using content control tools

• Importing Word forms into InfoPath

It seems that just about every time you turn around, someone has a form you need to fill out. There are job applications, credit applications, school forms, medical forms, subscription forms, tax forms, and the list goes on and on. All these forms aren't just on paper, either. Many of the same forms—and plenty more, to boot—are now online.

Word joined the forms parade a long time ago, so we're not talking about new features—more like a new wrinkle. While the new wrinkles might be dressed up all prettily saying "Pick me!" you might not want to pick them. After all, wrinkles are, if nothing else, wrinkled. In this case, that means they might not be what you're looking for. Let's dive in.

Out with the Old, In with the New?

Word 2007 has three different sets of tools that can be used to create online forms:

• Word 2007 content controls

• Legacy form fields from Word 2003 and earlier

• ActiveX form controls

Ostensibly, legacy form fields and ActiveX form controls are included with Word 2007 only to provide limited support for legacy documents. Hold off on that "ostensibly" part, however, because while Word 2007's Help steers you quickly to the new content control features when you ask it how to create forms, Word's other options point you steadfastly to door number two—legacy form fields from Word 2003 ...