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You can create a fillable form document in almost any version of Microsoft Office Word, for free. The exceptions are Word Online (Word 365) and mobile apps for iOS and Android. This tutorial will only cover Word for Windows.
The form data you create can include the option to choose a date, mark a check box, select Yes or No, and more. Before you can configure these “controls, as they are called, you must add the Developer tab to Microsoft Word. You can create and configure any form data using this tab.
Enable the Developer Tab. In order to create fillable forms, you will need to start by enabling the developer tab by clicking on the “File” drop-down menu and then choose “Options.” Open the “Customize Ribbon” tab and select the “Main Tabs” option under “Customize the Ribbon.”. Now you will need to select the “Developer” box and press “OK.”.
How to Add the Developer Tab in Microsoft Word
To add the Developer tab in Word 2016, 2013, 2010:
- Select File from the top menu.
- Then, choose Options.
- Select Customize Ribbon.
- In the right pane of the dialog of Customize Ribbon part, choose Main Tab.
- Check the box for Developer.
- Press OK.
In all versions of Microsoft Word that support it, you add the Developer tab in the Customize Ribbon options. Once you are there, you only need to select a single checkbox and click OK to make the Developer tab appear.
To add the Developer tab in Word 2007:
- Press Microsoft Office.
- Then, choose Word Option.
- Select Popular.
- Check the boxfor Show Developer Tab in the Ribbon.
- Press OK.
Word Online in Office 365 has a File menu but no Options entry; you will have to opt to work in the full version of Word if you want to use the Developer tab.
How to Create a Fillable Form in Word with a Checkbox
![2010 2010](http://www.word-2010.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/show-developer-tab-in-word-2010.gif)
![Microsoft Microsoft](http://slideplayer.com/1434727/4/images/33/Forms%3A+Display+the+Developer+tab.jpg)
There are several types of fillable form options in Word. These are called “Controls”. The options are in the Controls group on the Ribbon. You can add a check box, date selection box, a combo box with choices you create, drop-down lists, and more. These controls are on the Developer tab.
To create a basic fillable form in Word by providing a checkbox:
- Type the text to apply the checkbox to. Examples include:
- “Opt into promotional emails”.
- “I agree to the terms stated in this document”.
- “I have completed all tasks”.
- Select the Developer tab.
- Place your cursor at the beginning of the sentence you’ve written.
- Select the Check Box Content Control that adds a check mark. (It has a blue checkmark on it.)
- Choose somewhereelse in the document to apply it.
To remove any fillable entry, right-click it and choose Remove Content Control. Then use the Delete key on the keyboard to delete anything remains. In some instances simply clicking Delete will suffice.
How to Make a Form in Word with a Date Control
You add a Date Control from the Developer tab to enable users to select a date from a pop-up calendar that appears when they click the control.
To add a Date Control fillable form entry:
- Place your cursor in the document where you’d like to add the Date Control.
- Select the Developer tab.
- Choose the Date Picker Content Control entry for inserting a date control.
- Select somewhere outside the newentry to apply it.
How to Make a Form in Word for a Combo Box
If you want to have users choose something from a list that you provide, you use a Combo Box. After you create the box using the Developer tab options, you then access the Properties options for it to enter the available choices. In this example you will create a drop-down list for a party invitation, with options including Yes, No, Maybe.
To create a Combo Box to Make a Form in Word:
- Write a sentence that will precede the options you’ll provide. Examples include:
- “Will you attend the party?”
- “Will you be bringing a dish to the party”
- Select the Developer tab.
- Place the cursor in the document where you want the options to appear.
- Select the Combo Box Content Control icon. (It’s generally located to the right of the blue checkbox icon.)
- On the Developer tab, in the Controls section, choose Properties.
- Press Add.
- Type Yes, and press OK.
- Press Add.
- Type No, and press OK.
- Press Add again.
- Type Maybe, and press OK.
- Make any other changes (if desired).
- Press OK.
- Select somewhere outside the box to apply it; select inside the box to see how it works.
Create More Free Fillable Forms in Word
There are other types of form options you can create in Word. When experimenting with these, you’ll generally work in this order:
- Type an introductory sentence or paragraph.
- Place the cursor where you want the new control to go.
- Choose the control from the Controls group on the Developer tab (hover your mouse over any control to see its name).
- If applicable, select Properties.
- Configureproperties as necessary for the control you’ve selected.
- Press OK.