Multiple WorkGroup Template Directories in Path - Wd200x?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Tsu Dho Nimh
  • Start date Start date
T

Tsu Dho Nimh

Is it possible to set the path to user and workgroup templates to
have more than one directory in it?

It would make setup really convenient for us.



Tsu Dho Nimh
 
Word will access sub folders of the user and workgroup template folders
without the need to address them directly in file locations. If there are
templates in these sub folders, they will appear as tabs on the file open
dialog. See http://www.gmayor.com/Template_Locations.htm

--
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Graham Mayor - Word MVP
E-mail (e-mail address removed)
Web site www.gmayor.com
Word MVP web site www.mvps.org/word
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Graham Mayor said:
Word will access sub folders of the user and workgroup template folders
without the need to address them directly in file locations. If there are
templates in these sub folders, they will appear as tabs on the file open
dialog. See http://www.gmayor.com/Template_Locations.htm
Click to expand...

We're using that already, but that's not what we want.

We want to have agency-wide templates in one location and
section-specific templates in another (for ease of
administration), with BOTH showing in the file open dialog.



Tsu Dho Nimh
 
You can include a shortcut to another folder, I believe.

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And, if those folders have templates in them, they will show up as tabs.
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Suzanne S. Barnhill said:
You can include a shortcut to another folder, I believe.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
Word MVP FAQ site: http://www.mvps.org/word
Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup so
all may benefit.
Click to expand...
 
Suzanne S. Barnhill said:
You can include a shortcut to another folder, I believe.
Click to expand...

OK ... I'll try that today and report back on what happens.

The agency-level templates are going to be maintained by one
person, the section-level ones by a different person, and it's
more convenient to tell them "you are responsible for this folder
of templates"



Tsu Dho Nimh
 
Suzanne S. Barnhill said:
You can include a shortcut to another folder, I believe.
Click to expand...

This worked well enough, although EVERY template in that folder
and subfolder showed up in one pane instead of picking up the
folder names for tabs.



Tsu Dho Nimh
 
Tsu,

What I have found to be the "cleanest" way is to use a little VBA to create
a UserForm that includes a multipage form of all your departments forms on
them. The way I simplify the process is to have the caption of the
optionbutton the same name as the file name so the code is simpler.

I would be more than happy to provide more information if you desire to go
this route, but basically it consists of a toolbar button that opens a
UserForm. This UserForm resides in a generic template that is set in a
common network "startup" folder. When the button is clicked on the toolbar
a form opens up showing all the available templates broken up on a multipage
form. When clicked it looks for a file with the same name as the caption of
the button is a specified folder (this is where unique folders can be used
for each department) and opens a document based on that template.

This way each department can modify their forms and everyone can have access
to all of them if needed.

I have been planning on putting together a tutorial with sample code, but
you know how that goes. Holler back if you think you might be interested
and I can get you started down the path.

Bill Foley
www.pttinc.com
 
By the way, I have a picture of a sample form I created awhile back for my
web site at the following link:

http://www.pttinc.com/word_template.htm#WordTemplate

Bill Foley
www.pttinc.com
PTT said:
Tsu,

What I have found to be the "cleanest" way is to use a little VBA to create
a UserForm that includes a multipage form of all your departments forms on
them. The way I simplify the process is to have the caption of the
optionbutton the same name as the file name so the code is simpler.

I would be more than happy to provide more information if you desire to go
this route, but basically it consists of a toolbar button that opens a
UserForm. This UserForm resides in a generic template that is set in a
common network "startup" folder. When the button is clicked on the toolbar
a form opens up showing all the available templates broken up on a multipage
form. When clicked it looks for a file with the same name as the caption of
the button is a specified folder (this is where unique folders can be used
for each department) and opens a document based on that template.

This way each department can modify their forms and everyone can have access
to all of them if needed.

I have been planning on putting together a tutorial with sample code, but
you know how that goes. Holler back if you think you might be interested
and I can get you started down the path.

Bill Foley
www.pttinc.com
Click to expand...
 
PTT said:
Tsu,

What I have found to be the "cleanest" way is to use a little VBA to create
a UserForm that includes a multipage form of all your departments forms on
them. The way I simplify the process is to have the caption of the
optionbutton the same name as the file name so the code is simpler.
Click to expand...

Can this populate itself from the files in the directory? We're
trying to have as little hassle as possible when a new template
is added.
I would be more than happy to provide more information if you desire to go
this route, but basically it consists of a toolbar button that opens a
UserForm.
Click to expand...

Sounds interesting. It's an Attorney General's office ... in
addition to the usual office admin forms (HR, maintenance,
expense reports, etc.) we have templates for all the possible
kinds of legal filings in local state and federal courts,
criminal investigation and prosecution, report templates, and who
knows what else will come out of the woodwork.



Tsu Dho Nimh
 
Not automatically, but quite simple. Basically the process would include
the following:

1. Opening the template file that includes the UserForm (the one in the
designated Startup Folder), adding one option button to the desired
multipage, rename the option button to be consistent with the code, changing
one number in the code itself, saving it (overwriting the old file), placing
the template in the folder, and you're done (might take 2-3 minutes).

Like I said, the only trick is to have the caption of the OptionButton the
same as the file name (I usually copy and paste the file name from Explorer
to ensure it is exactly the same).

Bill Foley
www.pttinc.com
 
Bill said:
Not automatically, but quite simple. Basically the process would include
the following:
Click to expand...
1. Opening the template file that includes the UserForm (the one in the
designated Startup Folder), adding one option button to the desired
multipage, rename the option button to be consistent with the code, changing
one number in the code itself, saving it (overwriting the old file), placing
the template in the folder, and you're done (might take 2-3 minutes).
Click to expand...

Too much familiarity with VBA is assumed ... we are trying to
avoid anything that requires editing VBA forms and writing
macros. They got themselves into a bind by using WP macros to
automate some things and then couldn't update them because no one
wanted to take on the hassle of maintaining the forms when the
creator left.

It has to be something that any admin can handle, not just the
ones with VBA training.


Tsu Dho Nimh
 
I understand, but keep in mind that you are not limiting yourselves to about
50% of what Word can do without utilizing some VBA. With a properly
designed interface (including instructions), the average user can come up to
speed in very little time.

What I have found with VBA and automating some of Word's processes is that
the little amount of time you spend up front creating the right product(s)
is outweighed by the time you save using them (sort of the 10-fold reward,
if you know what I mean).

Not sure how to assist other than with a UserForm that provides access to
your templates. If you have a need to learn how to do this, feel free to
holler back. You can reach me directly through e-mail links from my web
site.

Good Luck!

Bill Foley
www.pttinc.com
 
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