WD: Workarounds for 255-Character Limit in FILLIN Field

ID: Q118512

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 2.0, 2.0a, 2.0a-CD, 2.0b, 2.0c, 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
Microsoft Word for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a
Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, versions 6.0, 6.0.1, 6.0.1a

SUMMARY

In Word, the maximum number of characters that can be entered into a FILLIN field prompt is 255.

To achieve the effect of more than 255 characters in a FILLIN field you can:

Use two FILLIN fields next to each other.

Use blank fields and F11 to move among them.

Use a WordBasic InputBox macro.

The "More Information" section of this article discusses three methods you can use to do this.

MORE INFORMATION

Method 1: Place multiple FILLIN fields next to each other

You can place multiple FILLIN fields next to each other. When you reach the maximum number of characters for the field, choose the OK button and continue the text in the next dialog box.

Create a new document by clicking New on the File menu.

Press CTRL+F9 (COMMAND+F9 in Word for the Macintosh) to enter the field code braces {}.

Inside the braces, type Fillin and the prompt text--for example, "Type until you can't type anymore, and then click OK." Your field should look resemble the following:

{Fillin "Type until you can't type anymore, and then click OK."}

Move the insertion point outside the braces and press the SPACEBAR.

Repeat step 2 to 3 but change the prompt text to "Please continue typing." This field should look like:

{Fillin "Please continue typing."}

Select both FILLIN fields and press F9 to update the fields. A dialog box appears prompting you to enter text for the first FILLIN field. Type Now is the time for all. Choose OK.

The next FILLIN dialog box will appear. Type in good men to come to the aid of the party. Click OK.

Toggle Field Codes view so that you see the result instead of the field codes. In Word 2.x you can click Field Codes on the View menu. In Word 6.x and later you can click Options on the Tools menu and click to clear the Field Codes check box on the View tab.

The result should appear resemble the following:

Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of the party.

Method 2: Use Blank Fields and F11 to Navigate Through Them

To use blank fields and F11 to navigate through them, use the following steps:

On the File menu, click New, and click OK.

Type the following information, pressing ENTER several times after each entry:

Name:
Address:
Phone Number:

Press CTRL+F9 (COMMAND+F9 in Word for the Macintosh) to create a set of field code braces for each entry. Your document should appear as follows:
Name: {}
Address: {}
Phone Number: {}
NOTE: These braces are hidden unless you have the Field Codes option turned on. For more information about viewing field codes, see the "Show or Hide Field Codes" topic in Word Help.

As long as the braces do not contain any spaces or characters, they do not generate any error messages.

With the field code braces positioned after each question, you can use the F11 key to move quickly to each set of field braces. The SHIFT+F11 key combination moves your insertion point to the previous set of field braces.

This method allows you to enter as much information as you want for each prompt. The field braces are replaced by the text that you enter.

Method 3: Use the WordBasic/Visual Basic for Applications InputBox$ Command

Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language being demonstrated and the tools used to create and debug procedures. Microsoft support professionals can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific needs. If you have limited programming experience, you may want to contact the Microsoft fee-based consulting line at (800) 936-5200. For more information about the support options available from Microsoft, please see the following page on the World Wide Web:

http://www.microsoft.com/support/supportnet/refguide/

The InputBox$ command displays a dialog box requesting a single item of data and returns the text entered in the dialog box when you choose the OK button.

The InputBox$() command in the following macro examples assigns the text you enter to a variable. The insertion point is moved to a user-defined bookmark before inserting the contents of the variable.

The syntax is as follows


   a$ = InputBox$(Prompt$ [,Title$] [,Default$])

where:


   Prompt$ is the text displayed in the dialog box.

   Title$ is the title displayed in the title bar of the dialog box; if
   omitted, Word uses the title "Microsoft Word".

   Default$ is the default text proposed in the text box of the dialog
   box.


   Sub MAIN
      ' Display Inputbox.
      MyText$ = InputBox$("Type text")
      ' Goto pre-defined bookmark.
      EditGoTo "bookmark"
      ' Insert text entered throught the Inputbox command.
      Insert MyText$
   End Sub

For additional information information about how to do this in Word 97, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q159261 WD97: Use Textbox Form Control to WorkAround 255 Character Limit

Additional query words: Fillin field braces curly limit limitation 255

Keywords : kbdtacode wordnt kbmacroexample kbfield ntword macword word6 winword2 word7 word95 macword6 word
Version : MACINTOSH:6.0,6.0.1,6.0.1a; WINDOWS:2.0,2.0a,2.0a-CD,2.0b,2.0c,6.0,6.0a,6.0c,7.0,7.0a
Platform : MACINTOSH WINDOWS
Issue type : kbhowto kbprb