Is it possible to create a template in MS Word where the user is being asked for input in input boxes?

We have to write transcripts in our association. While we do have some kind of MS Word template, it always tedious to spell out every little repetitive thing, that is common for most transcripts, but different in details.

For example, we always note down the time, the place and the present attendees in our transcript in a table. Is it possible to create such a template, that when you open it the template asks you in a prompt or input box to state the time and place and it would automatically fill out the data formatted in the correct cells of the table?

Similar thing with the titles of all the sections in the transcript: It would be useful to have some kind of prompt asking for all the different sections and then fill out all the titles of all the sections automatically, formatted in the correct style.

The same would be cool for MS Excel.

Is there any way to achieve that? I have seen macros, but they don't seem to be flexible or ask prompts or anything. I'm somewhat confused on how to research that kind of topic.

Solution 1:

You can use the ASK or Fill-In field that activates on a new document or you could use a vba UserForm.

A UserForm is more "elegant" but requires that the user allow macros to run. Here are two MVP pages on UserForms.

• Create and Employ a UserForm by Greg Maxey
• Create a Simple UserForm by Graham Mayor

This is intermediate vba work.

The Ask and Fill-In fields do not require macros and are about as old as Word. Insert > QuickParts > Field

Here are the Microsoft Documentation pages on the fields.

• Ask Field
• Fill-In Field

The Ask Field is used in conjunction with one or more Cross-Reference (Ref) fields. Having a lot of these fields in a template is annoying.

Here is a link to my tutorial on Ask and Fill-In fields.