Create an online form with a Word table
Thursday, January 22, 2009 11:30 AM
Tables provide a simple, effective structure for your online forms. Here's a look at how to use a table to set up blank lines that will stay put when users fill out your forms online.
Microsoft Word
Create an online form with a Word table
Unlike printed forms, where users write directly on blank lines, typing data on a line in an online form only moves the line over to the right.
For example, say you need your customer to enter his or her name online after reading your form. You place the following at the end of the form: Name: ______________________________________ When the reader attempts to type on the line, it moves to the right, like this: Name: ____Jane Doe__________________________________
To create a line that won't move, follow these steps:
- Create a 2×1 table as shown in Figure A.
Figure A
- Right-click the table, click Borders And Shading (Figure B), and then click the Borders tab .
Figure B
- Under Setting, click None.
- Under Apply To, choose Table (Figure C) and then click OK.
Figure C
- Select the second column, right-click the selection, and click Borders And Shading.
- On the Borders tab in the diagram under Preview, click the second and third buttons on the left (Figure D).
Figure D
- Under Apply To, choose Cell and then click OK.
Figure E shows the results. Now, the user enters a name into the table cell, not on the line, and the cell border does not change.
Figure E
Microsoft Access
Refresh your Access combo boxes with the Requery shortcut
Combo boxes let you type an entry into a field and select the entry again whenever you need it for another record. However, Access runs the query to the combo box only when the form is opened. If you add a new entry to the field, it will not appear in the list until you reopen the form.
Fortunately, there's a quick way to update your combo box without having to open and close the form.
For example, say you are entering data for a number of employees whose zip code is 07056. You enter the code for one employee. Then, when you enter the next one, you find that zip code is not on the list (Figure A).
Figure A
Follow these steps:
- After entering the new zip code for the first time, move to the next record.
- Press Shift + F9.
This is the Requery shortcut, which takes you back to the first record. When you click on the combo box to update any record, 07056 is now displayed, as shown in Figure B.
Figure B
You can use the Requery key to update any control based on SQL data.
Microsoft Excel
An easy way to keep Excel data at your fingertips
Rather than have your users search through dozens of worksheets for specific data, put the data they need most in its own worksheet in the front of the workbook. For example, say you have the worksheet shown in Figure A, which keeps track of replacement costs in your Inventory workbook.
Figure A
Follow these steps:
- Click on E8.
- Go to Insert | Name and click Define. (In Word 2007, select Define Name in the Defined Names group on the Formulas tab.)
- Enter Total_cost in the Name text box and then click OK.
- Click on E9.
- Go to Insert | Name and click Define. (In Word 2007, select Define Name in the Defined Names group on the Formulas tab.)
- Click on E10.
- Enter Most_Expensive in the Name text box and then click OK.
- Go to Insert | Name and click Define. (In Word 2007, select Define Name in the Defined Names group on the Formulas tab.)
- Enter Least_Expensive in the Name text box (Figure B) and click OK.
Figure B
- Create a new blank sheet, move it to the front of the workbook, and enter the data shown in Figure C.
Figure C
Now, when the user opens the workbook, Excel displays the data shown in Figure D for replacement costs on the first sheet of the workbook.
Figure D
There are currently no comments for this post.