Advanced MS Word Templates

[Matt1eD]

A friend requires articles for a magazine. When he sends round a Word document formatted in the approved fashion with word limits clearly stated, the number of spaces in the right places etc. he gets returned a page way over the word limit, in the wrong order, incorrect formatting etc.

Is there anyway one can set up a template to format everything properly and limit word numbers in certain areas and make sure certain bits are x tabs away from the other?

Now I intend to do some software to force people to comply to the rules and make sure names are put in and so forth, however until then he would like something like this if possible with an attached note just saying please please please fill in all the details, the template however will limit your words.

I'm 90% certain this can't be done in Word ('03), however if you could surprise me that would be great. A macro perhaps, wouldn't think that would do it. I've never used InfoPath, however would this do it and would it output to a formatted Word Doc? This is semi-urgent. Cheers, Matt.

[fuddam]

easy peasy



use FORMS toolbar to create certain areas of the document are accessible, rest is not. Can stipulate character limit etc, by double clicking each field you insert. Can create dropdowns, tick boxes, allow only certain types of chars in certain fields (eg numbers only, dates only, text only etc)

User will only be able to tab from editable region to editable region

Protect file once complete, with password to unlock - via TOOLS/ PROTECT DOCUMENT

bob's ya aunty

put all inside a table, by the way. controls layout better

[Matt1eD]

Sounds great, cheers.

Will have to check having a table is OK, that's the main flaw and I fear I can't.