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How to use MS Word to create a survey

Did you know that you can actually create surveys and interactive forms with just your regular MS Word application? Yes, we do know that Word documents don#38;rsquo;t technically need these elements since it is #38;ldquo;editable#38;rdquo; when opened by another user (as long as they have a Word Processor). However, these are useful for instances where users want to add encryption to questions and content. It is also most useful as a secondary choice when PDF is not an available option.

Published 23 May 2021

Did you know that you can actually create surveys and interactive forms with just your regular MS Word application? Yes, we do know that Word documents don’t technically need these elements since it is “editable” when opened by another user (as long as they have a Word Processor). However, these are useful for instances where users want to add encryption to questions and content. It is also most useful as a secondary choice when PDF is not an available option.

Here is how you can create an interactive survey with Word

Step one: Enable Developer tools by clicking FILE then click OPTIONS.

enable developer tools in word

A new window will appear, click CUSTOMIZE RIBBON, then tick the box beside DEVELOPER on the list.

screenshot of developer tool from more options in word

Step two: A new tab will appear on your screen, which is the DEVELOPER tab. Click that tab and select DESIGN MODE. Once you enable this, you can now add a few interactive elements.

design tab in developer tools in word

Step three: Add form elements by selecting the control contents. You can add a text box, a checkbox, a calendar, a drop-down list, and even an image.

To place a checkbox, click the check icon and click where it should be placed. You can type the options on the left or the right side of the checkbox. The checkbox will look like a box inside a rectangular unit.

adding a checkbox in word

To place a text box, simply click where the text box should be placed then click the Aa icon. It will automatically create a rectangular unit that says “Click here to enter text.” (See figure below).

adding text box in word

To place a date selector with a calendar, click the square icon that looks like a mini calendar. This icon is the date field.

adding date and calendar in word as form elements

To place a drop-down list on your document, click the area where you will place the list then click the COMBO BOX CONTROL which is the icon beside the checkbox.

Modify the list by clicking PROPERTIES. A new window will appear on your screen. Click ADD to add more options in your list and encode the preferred content. You can also modify it by clicking on the item then click MODIFY.

adding a dropdown list in word

Step four: Now that you’ve added all the elements you want, you can now turn off the DESIGN MODE by clicking it. Once you’ve turned it off, all elements should look like professional interactive form fields.

sample of form created in word

Step five: You can also encrypt and restrict editing of the questions and content by clicking RESTRICT EDITING under the DEVELOPER tab. Enable FILLING IN FORMS then click “Yes, start enforcing protection.”

restrict elements by encryption in word

Other methods of creating a fillable form

Word is convenient for basic users however if this document is needed for international purposes, PDF is still the way to go. If you save your survey in PDF, you will notice that all the elements made from the word will become flat and won’t be able to be “fillable.” To make it interactive, you will need a PDF editor to add the elements. Here’s how to do it with DeftPDF online. Don’t worry, it’s free!

Step one: Save your form into PDF by clicking export to PDF.

export to pdf

Step two: Upload your PDF file to DeftPDF’s editor

DeftPDF editor

Step three: Add form elements by dragging and dropping them. Use the necessary form tools from the toolbar. You can add text boxes, checkboxes, radio buttons, a drop-down list,s and large text boxes for addresses.

adding form elements using form fields

Step four: Save by clicking APPLY CHANGES then download to save your file into your computer. This will then provide you with a PDF document with fully interactive form fields. 

download pdf in deftpdf

 

 

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