Check Box Crashes Word (Word 97)

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We have various forms available as templates in Word. The templates (they are .dot files) are accessed from File > New. The templates are stored in an L drive on the local server, not on individual computers. Some of the templates have check boxes on them. The templates are not true forms

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Not sure, but have you tried deleting all the temp files that Word creates. Left over temp files could cause problems. Do a search for all

*.tmp;~*.do?;~*.wbk

& delete them.

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Not sure what could be causing this, although you may be doing something to corrupt your files by changing the field properties that regularly. Have you considered using macrobutton fields with AutoText like the checkboxes in the FAX templates that come with Word? See the Checkbox Template at my download page for an examination of this and other alternatives.

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Thanks for your response. Our IS people have looked at this with no luck. It definitely seems to be a problem with individual computers, not the templates. If I create a new Word document and insert a check box using the Forms tool bar, the check box always work and never crashes. Some other computers who try to create check boxes in Word – or use the new documentsI have created – still crash immediately when they double-click the check box. Can you expand on your comment about “changing the field properties” – I don’t understand. Thanks.

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Nope, I can’t expand on the comment about changing the field properties because it is mere speculation and if your people are creating new documents based on templates (rather than reusing documents) it shouldn’t matter. (“Checked” vs. “Unchecked” is a field property.)

Again, though, use of macrobutton fields instead of form fields may solve your immediate problem. Form fields are not designed to be used the way you are using them (which is not to say that they can’t work that way). They are designed for use in protected forms.

Take a look at the checkboxes in the FAX templates that come with Word. That method can be used to produce checkboxes that are not distinguishable from those produced by the Forms toolbar, except that when you double-click on them, they simply change to the other state. (Or, as shown in the download, you can set it up so that a single-click changes them.)

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