Forms sent as plain Word documents come back with lines deleted and tables broken. Content controls give people boxes to fill and lock everything else.
Review > Restrict Editing > Editing restrictions: Filling in forms > Yes, Start Enforcing Protection (a password is optional). Now Tab moves between controls and nothing else can be changed.
💡 Collecting many responses? Microsoft Forms or Google Forms (into a spreadsheet) are better. Word forms suit documents that must be signed, printed or kept as a file, such as joining forms and declarations.
⚠️ Restrict Editing protects against accidents, not determined people. A password-protected form can still be copied into a new document.
Practice
Download the practice document below: the task list is at the top, the content to work on underneath.
📎 Practice files for this article
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Practice documentA new-joiner form to turn into a fillable form.
