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Help with protecting document and fillable forms

Anonymous
2023-03-09T08:30:07+00:00

I have Word for Microsoft 365 on a MAC. I need to protect the document, but allow the forms to be filled out. I have tried everything, but I can't seem to find the sweet spot where it actually protects the document, and the user can fill out the form. How do I get this to work - It's driving me crazy!

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | MacOS

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. John Korchok 231.5K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2023-03-09T17:29:37+00:00

    In a document that you protect for forms, the text will not be editable. You must include Text Box, Check Box or Combo Box formfields (found on the Developer tab). These are the only areas where users will be able to enter text. The link on Bob's reply has the information you need to create working fillable forms.

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  1. Bob Jones AKA CyberTaz MVP 435K Reputation points
    2023-03-09T16:25:44+00:00

    Nothing in the reply from Fuad Laguda's second paragraph is accurate. You might want to mark that reply as not being helpful & give a 1-star rating.

    In addition to the material Charles pointed you to once the Form is complete go to Tools>Protect Document, supply a Password & select the Forms option. If you've followed the instructions you've been given there should be Section Breaks in the Form document, so you'll also need to designate which Sections need to be protected.

    This is another resource which is specific to Mac Word:

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/create-forms-that-users-complete-or-print-in-word-040c5cc1-e309-445b-94ac-542f732c8c8b#DevTabTopic=macOS,_newer_versions

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-03-09T19:28:08+00:00

    Thank you!

    Word has apparently changed so much since I last used it to this level (2010 lol). I marked Bob's response as helpful, so I wasn't able to reply after doing that, but I wanted to say how helpful it was to use the section breaks and just protect those instead. This will work for the time-being.

    Again, I appreciate all the advice/suggestions/help!

    Amber

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  2. Charles Kenyon 166.7K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2023-03-09T10:03:08+00:00

    Start with a document template, not a document. Templates in Microsoft Word

    Are you:

    1. Using the legacy form fields on the Mac Developer Tab to put spots for user input?
    2. Locking the Form?

    Resources:

    Unless you are willing to do a lot of work or develop your form in the Windows version, ignore anything about Content Controls. Content Controls for macOS by John Korchok

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-03-09T09:04:28+00:00

    Hello Amber,

    Thank you for coming to the forum.

    Here is the problem, the sweet spot in this instance for me does not exist. Because if you allow them to be able to input data, then they can edit and save. If they can edit and save, then they have access to more things than necessary.

    Why not use Microsoft Forms?

    At least there, they can only fill and move on. Consider it.

    Best Regards Fuad

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