automatically populating text boxes in MS Word 2003

[Cordeiro82]

Hello All,

I have a microsoft word document with textBox1 at the top of the first page. textBox2 - textBox5 is located in various places throughout the word document.

How can I get the document to populate textBox2 - textBox5 with what was entered into textBox1?

Thanks,

Cordeiro82

 

[macropod]

Hi Cordeiro82,

Unless you need the ability to change the contents of textboxes 2-5, it's probably better to use cross-references instead.

Provided TextBox1 has its properties set to create a bookmark (eg Text1) and to 'calculate on exit', then simple cross-references to tha bookmark will be sufficient.

Cheers

[MS MVP - Word]

 

[fumei]

Totally agree. Textboxes are for user input. If there is no user input (they just reference #1, then...just reference #1.

That if we are talking about formfield textboxes.

"Textbox" is multi-use word. You should always try to be very specific when you say "textbox". What kind of textbox?

There are:

ActiveX control textboxes
Formfield textboxes
Those horrid Insert > Textbox textboxes.

faq219-2884

Gerry
My paintings and sculpture

 

[Cordeiro82]

Fumei/Macropod,

Thanks for the responses.

I was referring to the Text Form Field that is inserted from the Control Toolbox.

textBox2 - textBox5 will not require any user input. The user will be entering the information into textBox1 which on change should then populate textBox2 - textBox5 with the same value as textBox1.

Do you think this process would be simpler using the Text Box from the Forms toolbox?

Thanks,

Cordeiro82

 

[fumei]

I was referring to the Text Form Field that is inserted from the Control Toolbox."

"Do you think this process would be simpler using the Text Box from the Forms toolbox?"

The first sentence does not make any sense.

The Control Toolbox does NOT insert a "Text Form Field". It inserts an ActiveX textbox.

The Forms toolbox inserts a text formfield.

The answer to the second sentence is yes.

1. Use the Forms toolbox to insert a text formfield. You should probably change the name. It is better to not use the default name "Text1". But for the sake of this thread, we will assume it is Text1.

2. Right click it and check Calculate on exit.

3. Go anywhere you want the contents of Text1 to be repeated.

4. Press Ctl-F9.

5. Type in "Text1". Without the quotes. If you changed the name of the formfield (see #1 above), then use that name.

6. Move the cursor out of the field.

Done. You can do this as many times as you like, anywhere you like. When the text formfield is exited (after one would assume the user has entered something), all the other fields will be updated with the contents.

You MUST use Ctl-F9. This puts in special field brackets. Typing the curly brackets will NOT work.

You could also use a REF field. The above is probably the fastest and easiest way though.

faq219-2884

Gerry
My paintings and sculpture

 

[macropod]

Hi Cordeiro82,

I think using Insert|Cross-reference and selecting your 'Text1' bookmark is simpler than Gerry's steps 4-6. Also, having inserted one cross-reference, you can simply copy & paste it to wherever else you want it to appear.

Cheers

[MS MVP - Word]

 

[fumei]

I think using Insert|Cross-reference and selecting your 'Text1' bookmark is simpler than Gerry's steps 4-6.

Really?

Let's see.

My way:
Press Ctl-F9 > type Text1

Your way:
Insert > References > selecting Reference type > selecting Bookmarks > selecting actual bookmark (Text1) > Insert > Close

It takes seven clicks to put in the cross-ref. Simpler? Hmmm, perhaps. Although I would be interested in precisely why you think it is simpler. I am not exactly disputing you, just curious regarding how you determine "simpler".

My way takes two steps. Pressing Ctl-F9, and typing the name. Granted, your way (again, I am NOT disputing the procedure) can be done by mouse clicks alone. So...sure, maybe that makes it "simpler".

However, I really am curious as to why you think so.

faq219-2884

Gerry
My paintings and sculpture

 

[macropod]

Hi Gerry,

Simpler for the average Word user, both to remember & use - not power users like you & me. Less error-prone too (typos).

And replicating the field via Copy & Paste is far easier than recreating it from scratch each time.

Cheers

[MS MVP - Word]

 

[fumei]

The possible typos is extremely valid. being able to select a name is simpler than trying to remember a name.

And yes, using copy and paste is good.

OK...sure, why not.

faq219-2884

Gerry
My paintings and sculpture