WD: Preserving Text When Re-protecting a Form Without Macros

• Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
• Microsoft Word for Windows NT, version 6.0
• Microsoft Word for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
• Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, versions 6.0 6.0.1, 6.0.1a
• Microsoft Word 97 for Windows
• Microsoft Word 98 Macintosh Edition

SYMPTOMS

When a form with information entered in the fields is manually unprotected and re-protected, the information is lost and the form fields are reset to their default settings.

WORKAROUND

Locking text form fields prior to protecting the form prevents the entered text from being lost if the form is unprotected and re- protected. To lock a text field, follow these steps:

1. Select the field.

2. Press CTRL+F11 (COMMAND+F11 for Word for the Macintosh).

       NOTE: If Help for WordPerfect Users is selected CTRL+F11 will not
       function.
   

MORE INFORMATION

The information in text fields will not be lost when the document is protected again, and the fields will function as usual while the form is being filled out in protected mode.

WARNING: This workaround preserves only text fields. Check boxes and drop-down list selections are still lost when you unprotect and re- protect the field. A calculation field will no longer be updated and will maintain the current value until unlocked, even if it is printed or if a macro is run to update it.

For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q119698
   TITLE     : Form Fields Lose Text When Protected for Forms