protecting word document or template

C

Colleen

I have a document that is out on a shared drive, what I
need is to:
1. Protect as a form to be able to tab through fields.
2. Protect so no changes can be made to the template on
the shared drive.
3. Make the "document opener" save the file some where
else and keep the old template.

My users are not computer savy and are spread out across
the county so the simple fixes are not good enough.

I created the document as a template and added form fields
and password protected it. If the user is in Word and
opens the file, types in it and then clicks on Save it
just saves it over the existing file.

If a user opens the file using the My computer method it
automatically opens it as a Word document instead of the
template. This is great; however, most will just go to
Word and open it.

Can anyone help me? I am on a severe deadline and have
40 templates to make.

Colleen
 
C

Charles Kenyon

Use a template, not a document. Put it in the workgroup templates folder and
set that folder as "read-only" for most users. Users then use File > New to
access your template. They will create a new document by doing this and can
save it where they wish, it will not overwrite your template.

For more on the different kinds of templates and locations of templates
folders see http://addbalance.com/usersguide/templates.htm.

What you are talking about is what Word calls an "online form." Check this
in help. For more about online forms, follow the links at
http://addbalance.com/word/wordwebresources.htm#Forms or
http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/Customization/FillinTheBlanks.htm especially Dian
Chapman's series of articles.

Hope this helps,
 
C

Colleen

I did create it as a template, as well as adding password
protected form fields.

I don't know what a "workgroup templates folder" is. I
may have been vague in my discription. This is not a Web
based file just a shared network drive. Can you please
explain for me.
 
C

Charles Kenyon

It is a folder to use for templates being utilized by a workgroup. Folders
within it that have templates in them show up as tabs on the File New dialog
box. Follow the link I gave you explaining different kinds of template
folders. Ideally, users never access this folder except by using File > New
and thus never open templates directly.
 
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