Word.Tips.Net Welcome toWord.Tips.Net

Helpful Links

Tips.Net Home
WordTips Home

Ask a Word Question
Make a Comment

Tips.Net Store

WordTips FAQ
WordTips Premium

Learn Access Now

Beauty Tips
Car Tips
Cleaning Tips
College Tips
Cooking Tips
Excel2007 Tips
ExcelTips
Family Tips
Gardening Tips
Health Tips
Home Tips
Money Tips
Organizing Tips
Pest Tips
Pet Tips
Wedding Tips
Word2007 Tips
WordTips

Advertise on the
WordTips Site

Newest Tips

Changing Tabs Using the Ruler

Moving Drawing Objects

Standardizing Note Reference Placement

Selecting Printing of Color Pictures

Stubborn Foreign Languages

Sizing the Preview Pane

Moving Rows and Columns With the Mouse

 

Creating or Changing Wizards

Summary: Wizards are used to programmatically step you through how to create a particular document or create a desired result in Word. You can create your own Wizards or edit existing Wizards if you know the information in this tip. (This tip works with Microsoft Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, and Word 2003.)

Many people use the handy Wizards that are included with Word. Some of these Wizards are used to create specialized documents. For instance, Word includes Wizards to help create different types of legal documents and business letters. These templates help you to quickly create generalized versions of documents. You can create your own Wizards. To create a Wizard, follow these general steps:

  1. Create a document template that defines the most general appearance of the document.
  2. Create the macros necessary for the Wizard. These macros create the user interface and modify the document under program control.
  3. Make sure the macro is set to automatically run when the document template is opened.
  4. Rename the template (DOT) to a Wizard file (WIZ).

To modify an existing Wizard, follow these steps:

  1. Use Word to open the WIZ file. Make sure you use the Open option from the File menu; don't double-click on the WIZ file, as this will start the Wizard.
  2. Immediately save the Wizard file under a different name. Make sure you use the WIZ extension for the file.
  3. Choose Macro from the Tools menu, then choose Macros from the resulting submenu. Word displays the Macros dialog box.
  4. Make sure that only the macros in the current file (your Wizard) are displayed.
  5. Modify the macros included in the Wizard to do what you want them to do.
  6. Modify the Wizard document itself.
  7. Save your changes.

There is a caveat to changing an existing Wizard. If the macro code has been protected (encrypted to prevent changes), then you will not be able to modify the macros. The heart of any Wizard is the macro or series of macros that make it work. It should go without saying that you should understand how to program using VBA before you begin making wholesale changes. (Of course, making changes that break the Wizard and then digging yourself out of that hole is a great way to learn more about programming.)

Tip #375 applies to Microsoft Word versions: 97 | 2000 | 2002 | 2003

Tremendous Table Tips! We often take tables for granted, but Word includes some very powerful ways you can present your tabular data. Discover how to make your tables better, easier to understand, and more effective.
 
Check out WordTips: Terrific Tables today!