Microsoft Word Text Form Fields Formatting Problem

Question

I am using Text Form Fields on my document in the format like so.

Special Instructions:    [TEXT FORM FIELD]                                                                                                                                                                            

my problem is when i start typing, all the spaces and tabs after the text form field move with the width of the field. is there a way to make them not move? i want to design the form itself to be able to fill out on the computer or print out and hand write. the only work around i have found is to make a 2x3 table and merge the bottom two cells together and the middle two cells together. then i make all the borders dissapear except for the bottom and inside horizontal borders so it appears to look like the above example. after that i add a text field in the top right box. but that makes the same problem. is i add enough text to overfill the box the formatting doesn't look right. CAN SOMEONE HELP ME PLEASE!?

Answer 1

What you could do is to put the lot into a single-cell table cell of fixed height and width, with just a right-aligned tab-stop where you want the underlining to end within the cell. That also means you'll only need a single tab character per line. With that setup, any tabs pushed out of the way will simply scroll out of view.

To create a single-cell table with a fixed height and width:

• For the rows, set the exact row height under Table Tools>Layout>Properties>Row>Specify Height>Exactly.

• For the columns, set the preferred column width under Table Tools>Layout>Properties>Columns and uncheck the 'automatically resize to fit contents' option under Table Tools>Layout>Properties>Table>Options.

Answer 2

thank you, this helped me alot.

Answer 3

The best way to lay out a form is by using tables, as you have already found. Specify fixed cell dimensions and add or remove borders as required.