How to Create Electronic Forms with MS Word

Create a Form in Word 2003 and older versions of Word
1. Open MS Word by clicking on the application's icon.
2. Click on "File," and then select "New" and then "Template" before clicking "OK."
3. Click "View," "Toolbars" and "Forms." This is your form toolbar, which you will use to create your form.
4. Enter any prompt text as needed prior to inserting any blanks and boxes. This text should give the recipient an idea of what the form is about and what each open field pertains to. For example, if you are creating a job application, you should have prompt text that says "Name:" and "Address:."
5. Click the "Text Form Field" button, which shows as "ab." This will create a blank that users can use to insert the desired information, such as their name and address.
6. Insert check boxes where needed. To do this, click the "Check Box Form Field" button, which looks like a check box with a check in it.
7. Add drop-down fields for multiple choice questions, such as specifying what state a person lives in. To do this, double-click the "Drop-Down Form Field" button and add your field options.
Create a Form in Word 2007
8. Open MS Word by clicking on the application's icon.
9. Click on "File," and then select "New" and then "Template" before clicking "OK."
10. Click the "Microsoft Office" button located at the top left of the screen. Click "Word Options."
11. Select "Popular."
12. Check the box "Show Developer Tab in the Ribbon."
13. Click "Legacy Tools" in the "Controls" group within the "Developer" tab. This will bring up the same toolbar available in MS Word 2003.
14. Enter any prompt text as needed prior to inserting any blanks and boxes. This text should give the recipient an idea of what the form is about and what each open field pertains to. For example, if you are creating a job application, you should have prompt text that says "Name:" and "Address:."
15. Click the "Text Form Field" button, which shows as "ab." This will create a blank that users can use to insert the desired information, such as their name and address.
16. Insert check boxes where needed. To do this, click the "Check Box Form Field" button, which looks like a check box with a check in it.
17. Add drop-down fields for multiple choice questions, such as specifying what state a person lives in. To do this, double-click the "Drop-Down Form Field" button and add your field options.