Protecting doc (while allowing filling in forms) allowed only in design mode?

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Peter J. Veger - 04 Oct 2005 15:10 GMT

Word 2003.
I have a simple document with a form using radio buttons from the Control
Toolbox.
After design, I click "exit design mode" from that toolbar.
I then select "Protect document..." from Tools and select in the Editing
restictions 'allow only edting' by 'filling in forms'.
I then start enforcing the protection (with or without password, that
doesn't matter)

At that moment, the document behaves as expected: I can select one radio
button of each group.

However, if I save the form as a .doc and load this file later, the document
is locked but it appears to be in design mode.
(1. The state of the Control Toolbox Design Mode toggle is "Exit design
mode"; but disabled because the form is locked.
2. A click in a radiobutton has no effect.
3. After doubleclicking the VBA Editor is opened for the event
OptionButtonx_Click but the document is still locked.
4. After Unprotecting the document, I can immediately continue with editing)

How should I prepare a document so tha another person can fill in the form?

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Jay Freedman - 04 Oct 2005 16:11 GMT

Hi Peter,

Word considers all controls from the Control Toolbox (which are ActiveX
controls) to be in the same threat class as macros that could be viruses.
Therefore, if your macro security level is High, all macros *and* ActiveX
controls are disabled when you open a document containing them. In the case
of the ActiveX controls, that also turns on Design Mode.

You should set the security level (Tools > Macro > Security) to Medium. When
you open the document, you'll be asked whether to disable or enable macros;
click the Enable button.

If you're planning to send this form to other PCs, you'll have to include a
note explaining this. There is no way for your code to affect anyone else's
security level, for obvious reasons.

The alternative is to replace the radio buttons with check boxes or a
dropdown from the Forms toolbar and avoid using any ActiveX controls.

Signature

Regards,
Jay Freedman
Microsoft Word MVP FAQ: http://word.mvps.org

> Word 2003.
> I have a simple document with a form using radio buttons from the
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
> How should I prepare a document so tha another person can fill in the
> form?

Reply to this Message

Peter J. Veger - 04 Oct 2005 18:25 GMT

Thank you, message understood.
I want to use for form to hold an inquiry among members of a sailing club
with widely divergent PC skills.
So i have to restrain myself and just use check boxes and textboxes.

Peter J. Veger, Best Netherlands

> Hi Peter,
>
[quoted text clipped - 44 lines]
>> How should I prepare a document so tha another person can fill in the
>> form?

Reply to this Message