33 min read

Forms

Content controls, legacy controls, and form protection.

Legacy form fields vs modern controls

Trip consent forms in the handbook pack use Developer \to Legacy Tools \to Text Form Field for name and class, and Drop-Down Form Field for year group. Protect the form: Developer \to Restrict Editing \to allow only filling in forms. Modern content controls (Rich Text, Plain Text, Combo Box) work better for new templates — they survive Word Online and co-authoring.

Protect and distribute

After adding fields, Restrict Editing stops parents changing the wording — they only fill blanks. Save as .dotx template. Test by filling every field and tabbing in order (Tab moves field to field). Legacy form fields show grey shading when Developer \to Design Mode is off — that is normal for fillable areas.

Hands-on steps

Goal

$Add one text form field and protect the trip consent paragraph.$

$James Okonkwo adds this to NorthgateHandbook.docx as part of one polished student handbook, policy pack, and open-day collateral before families arrive.$

Enable Developer tab

Where

FileOptions

Do this

File \to Options \to Customize Ribbon \to tick Developer \to OK .

You should see

$Developer tab on Ribbon.$

Verification

Check your work

You are correct if all of these are true:

$Student name line has a fillable form field.$
$Body policy text cannot be edited when protection is on.$
$Tab key moves into the form field.$

Before you continue

Before you go on

Before you click Next, confirm on your computer: 1 You completed every hands-on step above — not just read them. 2 NorthgateHandbook.docx is saved (Ctrl+S / Cmd+S). 3 You can explain why this skill matters for open day at Northgate Academy — not just where the button lives. Dr. Helen Marsh spot-checks this chapter before Saturday 14 March 2026 .

Practice

How do you let parents fill fields but not edit policy text?

More lessons in Microsoft Word · Next: Document Protection · Previous: Envelopes & Labels