Fillable document text box problem

Question

When I try to create a fillable document in word, Things are fine when I include text boxes in the document until I restrict the editing. I allow "filling in forms" and I can tab through the various fillable areas until I get to a text box and the cursor skips the first box and freezes on the second box. Unrestricted, the cursor moves and responds correctly through the whole document. I have used plain text content control and check box content control as well as trying legacy check boxes and it always hangs up at the check box

Answer 1

Assuming you're referring to the type of text box you insert with Insert>Text Box, those cannot be part of the text flow in a form created with Legacy Form Fields.

But Legacy Form Fields are old tech and it's easier to create a form using Content Controls instead. Here is Microsoft's page on creating fillable forms: Create a form in Word that users can complete or print. The Windows tab covers forms created with Content Controls, the Mac tab show how to create a form with Legacy Form Fields.

While it's possible to use both Legacy Form Fields and Content Controls, your life will by easier if you choose one of those and stick with it for the whole form.

If you would like us to take a look at your form, please post it to a cloud service, then post a password-free share link here.

Answer 2

It sounds like you are experiencing an issue with tab navigation in a fillable document in Word when editing is restricted. This behavior can occur due to how content controls and legacy check boxes interact with the document's editing restrictions. When editing is restricted, certain controls may not behave as expected, leading to the cursor skipping over specific controls like text boxes or check boxes.

To troubleshoot this issue, you might consider the following steps:

1. Check Control Properties: Ensure that the properties of the content controls are set correctly. For example, verify that the text boxes are configured to allow input and that they are not set to be read-only.
2. Recreate Controls: Sometimes, recreating the content controls can resolve issues. Delete the existing controls and add new ones to see if the problem persists.
3. Use Plain Text Content Controls: Since you mentioned using plain text content controls, ensure they are properly configured to allow user input when editing is restricted.
4. Test Different Browsers: If you're using any online version of Word, try switching browsers or using the desktop application to see if the issue is browser-related.
5. Update Office: Make sure your Microsoft Office is up to date, as updates can fix bugs and improve functionality.

If the issue continues, consider reaching out to Microsoft Support or checking the Microsoft Community for similar issues and solutions.