Creating a form

[MoJR]

This is mainly for Mary Sauer. In a previous post you said "I can't phantom
why anyone would create a form in Publisher that would have to be
filled out on a computer. I've scanned forms, put them on a background and
filled
them in with text boxes."
I am trying to scan a form into Word to use as a template. Then, I want to
have tha ability to fill it in, save it and print the data only on one of the
original paper forms.
Is it possible to accomplish this in Word or Publisher? I don't want to use
Acrobat. However, if I can't do the previous, I may have no choice.
thank you, mojr

 

[Mary Sauer]

You can do this in Word.
Word 2003 assistance for: "fill in"
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/results.aspx?Scope=FX,HA,HP,QZ,RC,XT&Query=fill+in&App=WD

 

[MoJR]

Mary,
Thank you for the reply. I know how to create a form from scratch. In this
instance I want to 1. scan a paper form, 2. use that image to create a
fillable form and 3. print the data I provide on the original form. I'm using
mulitple page forms. I have use either a typewriter or a dot matrix printer
to print them. I tried using Acrobat, but the printer doesn't like it and as
a result, using Acrobat becomes an exercise in extreme frustration.
Thank you,
mojr

 

[MoJR]

Mary,
I forgot this part. You mentioned scanning a form, then putting it on a
background and filling it with text boxes. I think that's what I want to do.
Thank you,
mojr

 

[Mary Sauer]

I've scanned many forms and did just what you want to do. It takes patience to
get each text box in the right place, but it is doable. And it will take your
creating many text boxes unless you are very lucky and the text miraculously is
in the correct place when you start to type.

 

[MoJR]

Okay. So when I scan the form, I get an image of that form. According to what
you're saying, I add text boxes to the image. Is that right? I guess I'm not
100% certain what you mean when you say you put the scanned image on a
background. Are we talking about doing the same thing?
mojr

 

[Ed Bennett]

Okay. So when I scan the form, I get an image of that form. According
to what you're saying, I add text boxes to the image. Is that right?
I guess I'm not 100% certain what you mean when you say you put the
scanned image on a background. Are we talking about doing the same
thing?

If you move the scanned image to the Master Page (also known as the
Background in earlier versions of Publisher), it won't get accidentally
selected and altered when you manipulate your main page.

(Ctrl+M enters and exits the Master page)

 

[Mary Sauer]

Yes, put the document on the Master Page (Background), on the publication page
do the text boxes.

 

[MoJR]

Ed,
Thank you for getting back. I did as you suggested. It does work. However,
it seems particularly cumbersome. I guess I'll have to use Acrobat after all.
Thank you very much,
mojr