Controlling Forms made in word .doc, excel .xls, and lotus

[KIDDO]

Good day all;

Does anyone know how to control forms made in word, excel, lotus so that users can use the form on their computers but not be able to change the form itself?

The users rather type in the information, say on a receiving log, than write on the actual form.

Thanks
KIDDO

[AndyN]

Acrobat to accomplish this. I believe there's a function in Adobe that you can define forms and allow fields to have data entered for later analysis. I've never seen this done with any MS product, but I may be just incompetent

Anyone?

Andy

[Rob Nix]

Yes, on MS Word most of our controlled forms are created (in Yoda-like syntax). First, create the look of the form - tables often work best - then add the fields you want (view "Forms" toolbar, and click on "Text Form Field" icon for all needed fields). After the form and fields are complete, go to Tools, Protect Document, select radio button "forms", and give it a password. When others open the form, they will click "read only", fill out the form, and print it or "save as" some other name. Your original form will remain intact.

There is much more to it than that, but it's a start.

[db]

My major concern is why users want to modify forms. There may be a culture issue at work, or perhaps the forms are not doing the job (from the users eyes). Protecting the forms is a bandaid solution. Try to find the root cause.

[ralphsulser]

In Reply to Parent Post by db

My major concern is why users want to modify forms. There may be a culture issue at work, or perhaps the forms are not doing the job (from the users eyes). Protecting the forms is a bandaid solution. Try to find the root cause.

The same reason operators on different shifts want to make adjustments to the equipment when they first come in each day. Even though the operation has been running without problems all day, they still have to turn knobs and adjust dials to suit their "own" preferences.
We called this "machine molestation", and had to set the job up correctly, then weld the knobs. One place I heard of put dummy knobs on the equipment
just so the operators could turn them, and felt like they did something for their own benefit.

[Laura M]

In Excel, select the cell you want them to be allowed to type in. go to Format Cell, protection and uncheck 'locked' (usual default). Then in Tools, Protection - Allow users to select - check 'unlocked' cells. Uncheck 'locked cells'

This allows the users to tab from cell to cell that they need to put data into.

[jmp4429]

In Reply to Parent Post by db

My major concern is why users want to modify forms. There may be a culture issue at work, or perhaps the forms are not doing the job (from the users eyes). Protecting the forms is a bandaid solution. Try to find the root cause.

I don't think the OP said anything about users wanting to change the forms (not saying they don't, just saying I didn't get that from the post).

I can’t say how many times I’ve meant to save a copy of the form once I’d filled it out, and accidentally saved it to the original form name. Of course, we password protect our form files to prevent it, but I make the forms, so I have the password and often type it in without thinking.

Not the end of the world, but the next user has to go back and delete all the entries before they can use the form.

[Laura M]

In Reply to Parent Post by jmp4429

I can’t say how many times I’ve meant to save a copy of the form once I’d filled it out, and accidentally saved it to the original form name. Of course, we password protect our form files to prevent it, but I make the forms, so I have the password and often type it in without thinking.

Not the end of the world, but the next user has to go back and delete all the entries before they can use the form.

Oh - I forgot - save it as a .xlt (a template) and any 'save' automatically prompts a 'save as.' Then no saving onto the master.