Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated January 9, 2021)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
Word allows you to easily create forms that provide different types of input options for users. One such option is referred to as a drop-down form field. This type of input control is very similar to drop-down lists found in program dialog boxes. Word allows you to add items that appear in the drop-down form field, and then the user can select one of the options from the field when later using the form. Exactly how you create and use form fields has been covered in other issues of WordTips.
Even though the drop-down list form field looks like a drop-down list control that is used in a program dialog box, there is a major difference. The drop-down list form field allows you to only add a maximum of 25 items to the drop-down list. This seems to be a hard-coded limit within Word. If you want to offer the form's user more than 25 options, then you only have a limited number of potential solutions. One rather obvious solution is to either find a way to limit the number of options you offer the user, or to break up the options among a number of drop-down list form fields.
The other potential solution is to use either list box control from the Control Toolbox toolbar or develop a UserForm. A UserForm is usually the best way, because OLE controls inserted in documents (like the list box control) eat memory and also cause macro-warning messages when you open the document (depending on your security settings). For more information on how to create a UserForm, visit the following Word MVP page:
http://wordmvp.com/FAQs/Userforms/CreateAUserForm.htm
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (1626) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003.
Create Custom Apps with VBA! Discover how to extend the capabilities of Office 365 applications with VBA programming. Written in clear terms and understandable language, the book includes systematic tutorials and contains both intermediate and advanced content for experienced VB developers. Designed to be comprehensive, the book addresses not just one Office application, but the entire Office suite. Check out Mastering VBA for Microsoft Office 365 today!
If you create a form using Word, chances are good that you don't want a user to mess up the layout of the form by ...
Discover MoreYou know you want to use form fields in your document (they are essential in creating forms, after all) but you need to ...
Discover MoreAfter you have created your custom form, you will need to save it so that you can use it as often as needed. Word makes ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Got a version of Word that uses the menu interface (Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, or Word 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
Visit the WordTips channel on YouTube
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2026 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments