Plain Text Content Control: Users can only enter text in the plain text format. Picture Content Control: This control displays an image. You can specify the image or users can click this control to select an image to insert in the document. I have plain text content controls in the word document template. I have the data field values. The next step would be to write code that will select each content control and set the text of the content control to the value of the selected record field.
Active3 years, 8 months ago
I am trying to create a document in which the user will be given the opportunity to enter some text and I would like to use that in the rest of the places in that same document. The text entered by the user will be used in many places in the same document and changing the name at any time should be reflected in rest of the document.
For example, in the very first page of the document, I would like to get the user's name and age and use it in other places as shown in the following screenshot.
I tried to use plain text content control to get the name and age. But I could not find a way to insert those as fields in my text.
Any ideas on how I can achieve this? I am even ready to do a mailmerge, but I do not want the data to be from any place other than this document. The screen shot was tried in Office 2013, but it would be great if it works right from 2007 onwards. I do not want to do it with macros.
Plain Text Content Control Word For Mac
NarayananNarayanan33822 gold badges55 silver badges1414 bronze badges
2 Answers
I think you'll have to use the Word Template and DocVariables. This also means some VBa but this tutorial covers it
However, as an example of making it read content from else where, this may get you going... This isn't perfect but, it may be a good start!
In word, add the developer toolbar to the ribbon.
From the developer toolbar, drop in 2 text boxes from the controls tab.
Click on the Insert toolbar.
Plain Text Content Control Word
Now, click on the first textbox (the one where text is to be copied too). Make sure you click on the 3 little dots on the left side so the entire textbox is selected. When you have selected it, the Bookmark (under Links) should become enabled. Click on it and give it an appropriate name.
Click on the second textbox, and do the same but this time, click on Cross Reference. In the drop down box, select bookmarks and then find the book mark in question.
This is set up, but, you have to manually update the field. So, type some text into the first textbox, then right click on the second and select Update Fields. As I said, not perfect, but hopefully a start!
This article explains it can be done with a Template and Macros. http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/Userforms/CreateAUserform.htm
DaveDave23.7k99 gold badges4646 silver badges6565 bronze badges
For Windows Word 2007 and later, you can use some of the Content Controls that Word inserts from Insert->Quick Parts->Document Property... For example, if you insert the 'Author' Document Property, Word inserts a content control that is connected to the built-in property. So when you change the value in one copy of the content control, the property value updates, then all other Author content controls are updated automatically. This is different from the pre-Word 2007 approach where you had to insert an { AUTHOR } field, then seleect it and update it.
Using the Developer tab, you can select the resulting content control and give it a new Title such as 'Age'. Then you can copy/paste copies of the control with that title. It's also usually helpful to make the controls non-deletable.
If you don't want to use the traditional built-in properties such as Author etc., there is a set of five 'properties' called Cover Page Properties that you can use instead. These are also available from the Document Property... menu, but the values are stored in a different place, i.e. in a Custom XML part created by Word. I think these are Company Address, Company Email, COmpany Fax, Company Phone, and Publish Date. Again, you can modify the Title using the Developer tab.
Beyond that, you have to use VBA or some such. If you're using Content controls, you have to create your own Custom XML part to store the values, and connect the controls to that store. You'll find a good summary of various options for 'repeating data' here
FWIW, if you need to use forms in Word, the most 'compatible' type of form field is what are called 'Legacy Form fields' in Windows Word, because these are the only type that also work in Mac Word. But if you only need stuff to work in Windows Word 2007 and later, content controls have some advantages.
user181946
protected by bwDracoDec 15 '15 at 1:02
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