How to create text auto-fields in Word 2010?

[drjones]

I googled, but don't even know the exact term for what I'm trying to do. I looked through all the menu options in Word 2010 but again don't see / don't know exactly what it is that I'm looking for, except that I know I've seen it done!

I want to create a text box in my Word proposal template so that when I enter the <<Client Name>> it automatically changes the name throughout the document, rather than manually doing this.

What is this function called & how do I do it?

Thank you!!

 

[nlinecomputers]

That is a mail merge. Look under the mailing tab.

http://wordprocessing.about.com/od/...o-Create-A-Microsoft-2010-Word-Mail-Merge.htm

 

[Markverhyden]

I thought it was called Autofill or something similar

http://gregmaxey.mvps.org/word_tip_pages/repeating_data.html

 

[nlinecomputers]

http://www.webworks.com/Documentati...lishing Content/Preparing Word Files.2.29.htm

 

[glricht]

When creating your original boilerplate document, why not just type "{cust}" (or some such identifier) for each variable-type field?

Then, to customize the boilerplate for a particular customer, just do a simple find-and-replace-all (ctl-H) to replace all "{cust}" with "Acme Tool"? Simple and quick.

Many moons ago I tried to use document property fields (thought it would be "cool" to do it this way), but the effort became way more than I wanted. I now use the simple method shown above.

 

[Encrypted Existence]

When creating your original boilerplate document, why not just type "{cust}" (or some such identifier) for each variable-type field?

Then, to customize the boilerplate for a particular customer, just do a simple find-and-replace-all (ctl-H) to replace all "{cust}" with "Acme Tool"? Simple and quick.

Many moons ago I tried to use document property fields (thought it would be "cool" to do it this way), but the effort became way more than I wanted. I now use the simple method shown above.

I am thinking the same. The find and replace function will work well for what the OP is trying to accomplish.

 

[Markverhyden]

When creating your original boilerplate document, why not just type "{cust}" (or some such identifier) for each variable-type field?

Then, to customize the boilerplate for a particular customer, just do a simple find-and-replace-all (ctl-H) to replace all "{cust}" with "Acme Tool"? Simple and quick.

Many moons ago I tried to use document property fields (thought it would be "cool" to do it this way), but the effort became way more than I wanted. I now use the simple method shown above.

^^^^ Great idea. Nickle solution to the dime problem so to speak. In fact I now remember I used to use this back in the dawn, late '80's, of the desktop age so to speak. We were using Mac's and Word. Don't think they had replace all at the time but definitely find, copy, and paste.

I've also tried messing around with the other methods and they were unfathomable for the most part. Overly complicated solutions to a simple need.

 

[Mokester]

Kind of late to the party but figured I'd chime in on this as I had a debacle last year with this. Client was a law firm...their assistant's used auto-complete heavily. When they upgraded to 2010, we exported the auto-complete and transferred it over to the new Word...but 80% of it wouldn't show up.

They had over 1500+ auto-correct entries...in their situation, it doesn't work to use a simple find and replace as they type documents all day and put in addresses for clients, some are picky as to how they like to be addressed...so they have that listed in their auto-complete so if they do their standard of typing the name, it auto-fills how the client likes to see it, maybe preformatted emails to send to clients, etc.

Basically I needed auto-complete to work. 2010 is phasing out auto-complete. They are now using the "Quick Parts" and it is known to have issues with compatibility for large or numerous auto-complete entries.

I've used phrase express...little difficult for end users to learn...took a couple training sessions but overall it's like auto-complete/autofill on steroids...allows you to have multiple users connect to a "server" which houses the entries for everyone...really robust...perfect for office environments where they tend to use those functions often.

Sorry if I'm rambling and disconnected...writing this while I TS multiple issues...it's a busy day.

 

[mm201]

As much as I think Technibble is a great forum for PC techs, in this instance maybe you'd have better luck in a forum that's dedicated to Office applications for this particular problem.

I found this one that looks promising.

http://www.msofficeforums.com/microsoft-word/

 

[Vicenarian]

NOt sure if this will help or not, but there's this program called shortkeys

http://www.shortkeys.com/

Used to use it a lot back when I was growing up, for games that required you to key in a bunch of characters for unlock/cheat codes

 

[drjones]

When creating your original boilerplate document, why not just type "{cust}" (or some such identifier) for each variable-type field?

Then, to customize the boilerplate for a particular customer, just do a simple find-and-replace-all (ctl-H) to replace all "{cust}" with "Acme Tool"? Simple and quick.

Many moons ago I tried to use document property fields (thought it would be "cool" to do it this way), but the effort became way more than I wanted. I now use the simple method shown above.

Thanks, I've been using the find & replace function but thought perhaps there would be an even easier & faster solution....

Thanks for the help, sorry for the delayed reply to my thread guys.
Take care

 

[HCHTech]

In my office days, I did a lot of work with a document-assembly program called "HotDocs". It was the industry standard for lawyers. Not free, but you might find a old version on ebay or similar. We used it extensively to complete retirement plan documents. Once you built the program & merge document, It would present you with a questionnaire in a series of dialog boxes, take your answers and assemble the final document. Really powerful.