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

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

SUMMARY

This article describes four methods for underlining form fields and extending the underline to a fixed point.

MORE INFORMATION

Method 1: Create a Table That Resembles the Printed Form

Use the appropriate method 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 97 and 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:

   a. On the Tools menu, click Options (Word for Windows and

         Word Macintosh, version 6.x) or Preferences (Word 98
         Macintosh Edition).
   

   b. Select the View tab.

   c. In the Nonprinting Characters category, click to select

         the All check box.
   

   d. 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.

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, as users may accidentally select and move the drawn lines.

REFERENCES

For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q145149
   TITLE     : How to Create Blank Underlines in Microsoft Word