Can I use "Protect Document" in a merge form?

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Gracia - 09 Apr 2005 19:19 GMT

I've created a document to merge data from an Excel spreadsheet. I'd like to
"protect" the document so that users can tab from checkbox to checkbox to
mark them appropriately. Is this possible

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Charles Kenyon - 09 Apr 2005 21:20 GMT

Not easily done. A completed merge will strip out formfields leaving you
with symbols rather than active checkboxes. If your users can check the
boxes before the merge and then unprotect the document it works. Otherwise,
if you are only merging a single record you can link up the merge to the
record, display it on the screen, unlink the merge fields, and protect your
document. That is easier to say than it is to do and it isn't easy to say.

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> I've created a document to merge data from an Excel spreadsheet. I'd like
> to
> "protect" the document so that users can tab from checkbox to checkbox to
> mark them appropriately. Is this possible

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bet_saliz - 27 Apr 2005 22:39 GMT

> Not easily done. A completed merge will strip out formfields leaving you
> with symbols rather than active checkboxes. If your users can check the
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> > "protect" the document so that users can tab from checkbox to checkbox to
> > mark them appropriately. Is this possible

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bet_saliz - 27 Apr 2005 22:43 GMT

In WordPerfect I could create templates that let me select addresses from the
Corel address book with fill-in fields. I'm trying to do something similar in
Word using templates, merge and form tools, but so far, it doesn't work too
well. Any suggestions, or am I wasting my time?

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Charles Kenyon - 28 Apr 2005 02:16 GMT

With the mail merge toolbar's find record and select records buttons you can
do this as part of a merge. You could use Outlook as your source or a
separate data file. I use an Excel worksheet that lists my clients and
cases. My merge form pulls client name and address, prosecutor name and
address, clerk of court address, and/or judge name and address for letters
and other case-specific info for pleadings.

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Charles Kenyon

Word New User FAQ & Web Directory: http://addbalance.com/word

Intermediate User's Guide to Microsoft Word (supplemented version of
Microsoft's Legal Users' Guide) http://addbalance.com/usersguide

See also the MVP FAQ: http://www.mvps.org/word which is awesome!
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This message is posted to a newsgroup. Please post replies
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--
Charles Kenyon

Word New User FAQ & Web Directory: http://addbalance.com/word

Intermediate User's Guide to Microsoft Word (supplemented version of
Microsoft's Legal Users' Guide) http://addbalance.com/usersguide

See also the MVP FAQ: http://www.mvps.org/word which is awesome!
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
This message is posted to a newsgroup. Please post replies
and questions to the newsgroup so that others can learn
from my ignorance and your wisdom.

> In WordPerfect I could create templates that let me select addresses from
> the
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> too
> well. Any suggestions, or am I wasting my time?

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