How to create a form to fill out in Word for Windows

You can create a document for free with the ability to fill out a form in almost any version Microsoft Office word. 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 may include the ability to select a date, select a checkbox, choose Yes or No, and so on. Before you can customize these «controls,» as they’re called, you’ll need to add the Developer tab to Microsoft Word. You can create and customize any form data using this tab.

How to Add a Developer Tab in Microsoft Word

Screenshot of ribbon customization options in Microsoft Word 2016.

To add a Developer tab in Word 2016, 2013, 2010:

Select File in the top menu.
Then select Options .
Select » Customize Ribbon » .
In the right pane of the Customize Part of the Ribbon dialog box, select Main tab» .
Check the box for developer .
Click OK .

In all versions of Microsoft Word that support it, you add a Developer tab in the Ribbon Preferences. Once you’re there, all you have to do is check one box and click » OK», so that the «Developer» tab appears.

To add a Developer tab in Word 2007:

Click Microsoft Office .
Then select Word variant .
Select Popular .
Check box for Tab Show Developer in Ribbon .
Click OK .

Word Online in Office 365 has a File menu but no Options; you will need to be working in the full version of Word if you want to use the Developer tab.

How to create a fill form in Word using a checkbox

Word has several types of fillable forms. They are called «controls». The options are in the Controls group on the ribbon. You can turn on checkbox a date picker, a combo box you create, dropdowns, and more. These controls are on the Developer tab.

Screenshot of the Microsoft Word Developer tab with the checkbox checked.

To create a simple form to fill out in Word by checking the box:

Enter text, to apply the checkbox. Examples include:
- «Choose promotional letters.»
- «I agree to the terms and conditions set out in this document.»
- «I completed all the tasks.»
Select tab Developer .
Place the cursor in Start written proposal.
Check box Content Control, which adds a checkmark. (It has a blue check mark on it.)
Select where — then in the document to apply it.

To remove any fillable entry, right-click it and select Remove Content Management. Then use the Delete key on your keyboard to delete whatever is left. In some cases, simply clicking «Delete» is enough.

How to make a form in Word with date control

You add a Date control on the Developer tab so that users can select a date from the pop-up calendar that appears when they click the control.

To add a fillable Date Control form:

Place cursor in document, in which you want to add the date control.
Select tab Developer .
Select element tool content management choice dates, to insert a date control.
Choose somewhere outside new records, to apply it.