WD: How to Extend Form Field Underlines to a Fixed Point

MORE INFORMATION

Method 1: Create a Table That Resembles the Printed Form

Use the method appropriate for your version of Word.

Word 6.x, 7.x:

1. Place a border beneath selected table cells.
2. Place the form field at an appropriate spot in the table.

Word 98 Macintosh Edition:

When you either insert or draw a table, it automatically has a border. If you want the border to be only at certain places within your table, you first need to remove the border. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Place your insertion point anywhere in the table.
2. On the Table menu, click Select Table.
3. On the Format menu, click Borders and Shading, and then select the Borders tab.
4. Under Setting, click Name and then click OK.
   
   NOTE: You may see the gridlines of the table; however, they will not be printed.
5. Place the form field at an appropriate spot in the table.

Method 2: Set an Underlined Tab

Set a left-aligned, underlined leader tab at the position where you will start typing, and set a right-aligned, underlined leader tab at the position where the underlining will end. Insert the form field between the two tabs and underline the form field.

To set one of these tabs, follow these steps:

1. On the Format menu, click Tabs.
2. In the Tab Stop Position box, enter the place where you want the first tab to stop.
3. In the Alignment list, click Left.
4. In the Leader list, click 4.
5. Click Set.
6. In the Tab Stop Position box, enter the place where you want the second tab to stop.
7. In the Alignment list, click Right.
8. In the Leader list, click 4.
9. Click Set.
10. Click OK.

Method 3: Insert Nonbreaking Spaces

Unlike regular spaces, you can underline nonbreaking spaces.

1. Turn on display of nonprinting characters so that you can see the characters once you type them:
   1. On the Tools menu, click Options (Word for Windows and Word Macintosh, version 6.x) or Preferences (Word 98 Macintosh Edition).
   2. Select the View tab.
   3. In the Nonprinting Characters category, click to select the All check box.
   4. Click OK.
2. Place the insertion point where you want the underline to begin.
3. Press CTRL+SHIFT+SPACEBAR for each space that you want to underline. Unlike regular spaces, which appear as dots, these nonbreaking spaces appear as small circles.
   
   NOTE: In Word 98 Macintosh Edition, nothing appears.
4. Highlight each nonbreaking space and click the Underline button on the Formatting toolbar or press CTRL+U.
5. Insert the form field in the center of the nonbreaking spaces to assure equal line space before and after the form field.

You can repeat steps 3 and 4 on the other side of the form field.

Method 4: Draw a Line

Use the Drawing Toolbar to draw a line beneath the area to be underlined.

NOTE: Do not use this method in documents that are not protected, because users may accidentally select and move the drawn lines.