fields in report template

  • Thread starter Thread starter Lisa
  • Start date Start date
L

Lisa

What is the best way for me to set up a report template.
I am a speech pathologist and I write a million reports
that include tons of similar information. I want to be
able to input different info in areas, such as student
info, tests given, and various diagnostic statements that
I use all of the time for different disorders. I want to
automate this process as much as possible. I would
appreciate your expertise and hopefully avoid a lot of
trial and error.
 
Hi, Lisa,

It sounds like you'll need to combine several techniques to optimize
your automation.

For chunks of text that occur verbatim in many reports, create
AutoCorrect or AutoText entries and give them easy-to-remember names.
For AutoText tips, see
http://members.verizon.net/~vze27sds/autotext.htm. If these chunks
always occur in the same place in each document, set up AutoTextList
fields in the template (see
http://www.mvps.org/word/FAQs/TblsFldsFms/AutoTextList.htm).

For student info that changes from one document to the next, but
always goes in the same place, the solution I prefer is to create a
userform (a custom dialog box) where you can input all the information
at once, and it's deposited at bookmarks in the document when you
click the OK button. For an introduction, see
http://www.dragondrop.com/wordcoding/word011a.asp.

Another approach, which I think is less capable and more difficult to
use than a userform, is a "protected form" template that contains text
fields, dropdowns, and checkboxes. These are discussed in a five-part
tutorial:

Please Fill Out This Form
Part 1: Create professional looking forms in Word
http://www.computorcompanion.com/LPMArticle.asp?ID=22

Part 2: Adding Automation to your Word forms.
http://www.computorcompanion.com/LPMArticle.asp?ID=46

Part 3: Learn more VBA (macros) to automate your forms.
http://www.computorcompanion.com/LPMArticle.asp?ID=119

Part 4: Use custom dialog boxes in your Word forms
http://www.computorcompanion.com/LPMArticle.asp?ID=127

Part 5: Connect your AutoForm to a database to save input time and
keep better records!
http://www.computorcompanion.com/LPMArticle.asp?ID=136
 
Thanks!
I have made some autotext entries, but I'm going to check
out your directions to see if I can improve on them. The
userform sounds like it's exactly what I need. Can I also
save the userform entries into a database for use on other
templates etc.?
Thanks a lot for the help!
Lisa
 
Hi, Lisa,

Yes, the same sort of code the article describes for connecting a
protected form to a database will also work in a userform. If you get
to the point of implementing it and have trouble doing so, come back
here for help. :-)
 
Hey Guy!
I can't thank you enough for you help...more than
searching blinding through Microsoft help ever did! I
have made a good user form, however I would like to make
it a little bit better.
Currently, when I click "cancel" or the cross, the speech
template disappears and reverts to the "new document"
template. I would like for the speech template to stay on
the screen.
Also, I would like for some of my places on my user form
to be a check box ie Gender - male or female...or my place
for CityStateZip to be a pull down list for choices
because there are only a few choices for the area I work
in....
Can you help me again?
Thanks again,
Lisa
 
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