WD: Can't Use Result of Form Field in Conditional Statement

• Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
• Microsoft Word for Windows NT, version 6.0
• Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, versions 6.0, 6.0.1, 6.0.1a
• Microsoft Word for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
• Microsoft Word 97
• Microsoft Word 98 Macintosh Edition

SYMPTOMS

In Word, the results of form fields can be referenced elsewhere in the document, but they cannot be used in conditional statements.

For example, if you have a drop-down box whose bookmark name is dropdown1, and you use the following field to evaluate the result of dropdown1

   {if { REF dropdown1 } = "female" "Dear Ms." "Dear Mr."}

CAUSE

In Word versions 6.x and 7.x, form fields are considered display fields, which means their results are pictures, not text strings that can be evaluated.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use the REF field to reproduce the results of a form field.

Syntax of this field is

   {REF bookmarkname}

Word 97 for Windows or Word 98 Macintosh Edition

In Word 97 or Word 98, you can use the result of a form field in a conditional statement using the REF field as in the following example:

   {if { REF Dropdown1 } = "female" "Dear Ms." "Dear Mr."}

1. If the document is protected for forms, click Unprotect Document on the Tools menu.

2. Double-click the form field to view the form field options.

3. Click to select the Calculate on Exit check box.