How to make Fillable Form in Microsoft Word

In this step-by-step tutorial, learn how to create a fillable form using Microsoft Word. Others can fill out your form easily. You can create a form using things like check boxes, text boxes, date pickers, and drop-down lists.

👋 Additional resources:

⌚ Timestamps
0:00 Introduction
0:47 Example form
1:34 Turn on developer tab on ribbon
2:35 Insert plain text field
4:00 Insert check boxes
4:57 Combo box drop down
6:37 Drop-down list
7:46 Date picker
8:19 Picture picker
8:50 Rich text field
10:04 Restrict editing
10:50 Final form
11:22 Wrap up

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#word #microsoftword

[missmb]

I have NEVER had ANYBODY explain Word as easily as you have, Kevin. You’re a Godsend! Thank you!

[DeBoraBobby]

LOVE that you get right to the point and speak in plain English! Thank you!

[ericajohnson]

Every time I need a tutorial on anything tech related, I find myself drawn to all of your tutorials on YouTube. All of them are very comprehensive, informative and easy to follow. Bravo Kevin Stratvert!

[LongTimeTTFan]

Clear instruction. Straight to the point. No time wasted. Good demonstration of the steps. Thanks a lot.

[JCtheMusicMan_]

Kevin, any chance you will do a tutorial on connecting the form to a database? Love your tutorials. You make the seemingly complex easy!

[sallythomas]

Thank you! Some follow-up questions/requests: (1) How do insert a scroll bar - would love to see an advanced session on that and (2) an automated process consuming/streamlining the data after the form is complete, like the database you mention at the beginning of the video. Appreciate your help - you're terrific.

[k.c]

Thanks, Kevin. I'm using this today to create a fillable form and will update this comment AFTER my clients have returned it .... lol ...
**UPDATE**: So I got feedback on the form, and I found that while the text boxes worked fine, the drop-down controls didn't open for about half of the people who tried to use the form. Additionally documents with protected fields are not accessible in MS Word online (not sure why) so whoever you send the form to has to download it. Otherwise this worked well for my needs in the context.
I will try this again without the drop-downs and with an unprotected file to see if I can get it to work online.

[annesoftwehr]

What‘s your secret to knowing what everybody with slightly more advanced IT skills needs to know? You are in people‘s brains!

[mcpstechnologyinformations]

Great job, Kevin. Reminder to people creating their forms: edit the default text that appears on the form so that consumers of the form will know what options they have. Trust me, if you don't you'll get all sorts of people typing in all sorts of responses. Great option if you don't have Adobe Pro to create fillable forms and don't want to use Microsoft Forms.

[jennyc]

THNAK YOU! I have been paying freelancers to do this. I've had lots of issues with them following basic instructions, so this is a GOD-SEND!

[turtlecheese]

After messing with making PDFs and the nightmare that, this video is worth it's (digital) weight in gold. Thank you!

[TylerStanczak]

Another thing I had no idea that was possible until now. Thanks Kevin. :)

[philharris]

Thanks for going over this. It would be really good to see how to take the form and populate data to a sql server table. I'd love to see how that's done.

[stevenenglish]

I came here because your tutorials were very helpful on an Excel assignment I was working on in college and I was unable to find a tutorial on dynamically expanding text fields with Acrobat without the need of third party software. My principal was a little disappointed with Acrobat but after Excel course I figured Microsoft would have to have something. Microsoft did and you present the tutorial very well. I've hit that subscribe and at the point of just adding your YouTube channel link as a response for any how to question for Microsoft. Well done sir.👍

[janetk]

Thank you so much. Volunteering with non-profit and our applicants are always messing with our form - this will make it so much easier!!!

[nemiesanjuan]

Hi Kevin thank you for sharing this great tutorial, I've been using word for more than 10 years now and this is the first time I have seen this features. No wonder Amazon and Microsoft is fighting for you. More power to you.

[bluebee]

This was EXTREMELY useful! I recently had to learn how to make fillable checkboxes, but I didn't know we could do much more! Thanks, Kevin!

[ksltechnology]

I have NEVER had ANYBODY explain Word as easily as you have, KevinStratvert. You’re a Godsend! Thank !

[sandraschuette]

THIS WAS VERY HELPFUL TO ME TODAY. i HAVE A NEED TO MAKE A FILLABLE FORM AND HAD NO IDEA HOW TO DO IT OR IF IT WAS AVAILABLE TO ME IN MICROSOFT WORD 2019. MIGHT HAVE TO WATCH A FEW TIMES TO GET IT IN MY HEAD BUT I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR THIS GREAT TUTORIAL

[marksoucy]

This is extremely helpful! Much easier to use than other document form makers. Thank you, Kevin.