WSS - Custom Properties and Form fields to not synchronize.

[jcandeli]

First of all thank you in advance for any help you may provide!

I have noticed a very annoying "feature" of WSS. I have a Word document with custom properties and form fields which are linked to the custom properties for displaying and setting the custom properties.

When I set the custom properties using the form fields in Word, everything works great. I upload the file to WSS using "Explorer View" and the properties are all present. Perfect.

Here's the problem.... if I change the custom property values using sharepoint OR even if I open the document in Word and go to "File->Properties->Custom" and set them there, the linked form fields do not update. What this does is blow away the values that I changed and sets them right back to what ever is in the form field.

It would be nice if the form and custom properties were linked both ways. So not only do the custom properties update when a form field value is changed but visa versa. When a Custom property is changed it will update the form value.

Is there something I am missing or do I have to write a macro that synchronizes the form fields and custom properties at file open and file close?

Thank you!
JP