WD6X: Cannot Insert Paragraph Mark in FORM Field

• Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
• Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, version 6.0, 6.0.1

SYMPTOMS

In a Microsoft Word 6.x document that is protected for forms, you cannot press ENTER in a FORM field to insert a paragraph mark. Instead of adding the mark, Word moves the insertion point to the next FORM field.

NOTE: This functionality was changed in Microsoft Word 7.x for Windows. In a protected form, when you press the ENTER key in a FORM field, Word places a paragraph mark into the field. To move between fields, you must press either the TAB key or SHIFT+TAB.

CAUSE

This behavior is by design in Word 6.x. Once you protect a form, the behavior of certain keys changes to make it easier for you to move the insertion point from field to field. For a list of the keys that change functionality in a protected form, see page 321 in the "Microsoft Word User's Guide."

WORKAROUND

Word for Windows

In Word for Windows 6.x, you can add multiple paragraphs to a single form field by using the ANSI character code ALT+13 to insert paragraph marks or ALT+11 to insert a new line break. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Position the insertion point at the end of the first paragraph.

2. Turn the NUM LOCK key on (most keyboards have an indicator light above the NUM LOCK key to indicate that NUM LOCK is on).

3. While holding down the ALT key, press and release the 1 and 3 keys on the numeric keypad. (If you are using Word 6.0 for Windows NT, press ALT+013.)

4. Release the ALT key.

Word for the Macintosh

Press ENTER on the numeric keypad. This allows you to add multiple lines in a form field.

REFERENCES

"Microsoft Word User's Guide," version 6.0, pages 315-316, 321