Saving Form Data for a Database

Word allows you to create forms into which users can enter data. Exactly how you create forms has been covered in other issues of WordTips. When users are done filling in the form, they typically save the form as a regular Word document.

If you want to later use the form data in a database, you may find this tip helpful. Follow these steps:

1. Open the form document saved by a user.
2. Choose Options from the Tools menu. Word displays the Options dialog box.
3. Make sure the Save tab is selected. (Click here to see a related figure.)
4. Make sure the Save Data Only for Forms check box is selected.
5. Click on OK to dismiss the dialog box.

Now, when you go to save the document, Word presents you with the Save As dialog box, and the TXT file format is selected. Once you supply a file name and click on OK, Word extracts the form data the user typed in the document and saves it, in a comma-delimited format, in the TXT file. You can then use that TXT file to import the form values to a database program.