Build Flexible Word Templates with Reusable Controls

Edit the template itself

Microsoft recommends opening the existing template through File and Open, making the required changes, and saving the template again. Building blocks can hold reusable passages or document parts that users choose when creating a new file. This is useful when a standard report needs consistent components but still allows more than one approved variation. Update the reusable source rather than only changing a document previously created from it.

Choose controls for the information users supply

The Developer tab provides rich text, plain text, picture, date, and selection controls. Rich text permits formatting and multiple paragraphs; plain text limits that flexibility. A combo box permits a supplied choice or newly typed information, while a drop-down restricts users to the configured choices. Review each control’s properties after inserting it, because the options determine what someone completing the template can actually change.