Among many other practical functions, Microsoft Word It can also be useful for us create a document refillable. This option allows us to design interactive forms in which users can enter information without altering the original format of the document.
This is possible thanks to the developer tab, content controls, and other tricks that we explain later. So, if you need to create a questionnaire, survey, or any digital form to fill out easily, read on. In addition, we will see the advantages that this type of document offers compared to other options, such as PDF forms.
Enable the Developer tab in Word
In order to create interactive forms in Word, the first thing you must do is enable tab Developer, since by default this option is not visible in the program. Follow these steps to activate it:
- To get started, click the tab Archive.
- Then select Options.
- In the side menu, select Customize ribbon.
- Look for the option Developer within the list of main tabs and mark it.
- Finally, click on Accept to apply the changes.
Create and structure the form in Word
Once the Developer tab is activated, you can proceed to design your form in Word. To make it more organized and easier to complete, We recommend you use tables to properly align the form fields. Here's how you can do this:
- Open a new document or use a pre-designed template.
- If you decide to start from scratch, go to the tab Insert and use the option Panel to structure the content.
With the structure ready, you can start adding the different content controls, which are the tools that allow users to enter information into specific fields of the form.
For those looking to further optimize their document, it is helpful to consider how to transform other formats, such as Convert images or PDFs into editable documents, which can complement the creation of fillable forms in Word.
Insert content controls
The content controls In Word they allow you to include different types of fillable fields such as text boxes, drop-down lists, checkboxes, and date selections. Here's how to add each of them:
- To insert a text field where users can type, select Text content control.
- If you want to provide options to users, use the Dropdown List Controls o combo boxes.
- To include simple checkboxes, add the Box control.
- If the form requires a date selection, use the option date picker.
Each content control can be customized by clicking on Properties inside the tab DeveloperFrom there, you can change titles, colors, or define whether users can edit the content.
Protect the form to prevent modifications
Once you have added all the necessary fields, It is advisable to protect the document to prevent users from modifying the structure of the form. The most effective way to do this is as follows:
- First click on the tab Developer.
- Then select restrict editing.
- In the window that appears, check the box that says Allow only this type of editing and select fill out forms.
- To finish, click on Apply Protection and set a password if you wish.
Test and distribute the form
Finally, before sharing the document, it is advisable to test it to make sure that all the options work correctlyOpen the form in Word and fill in the fields to verify that the content controls behave as you expect.
If the form is ready, you can send it by email or save it as a file Fillable PDF if you want it to be more secure and stable. To do this, simply go to File , select the Save As option and click on the PDF format.
As you can see, creating fillable forms in Word is a very useful feature for both companies and individual users who need to collect information in an orderly manner. By following these steps, you will be able to design interactive documents easily and without the need for external tools.
