WD2000: How to Underline a Form Field (212049)

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To underline a form field, use any of the following methods.

Method 1: Insert or Draw a Table with Borders

You can create a table that resembles the printed form. When you 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 must first remove the border. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Place the insertion point anywhere in the table.
2. On the Table menu, point to Select, and then click Table.
3. On the Format menu, click Borders and Shading, and then click the Borders tab.
4. Under Setting, click None, and then click OK.
   
   NOTE: You may see the gridlines of the table, but they will not be printed.
5. Click to select the table cell you want to insert the underlined form field.
6. On the Format menu, click Borders and Shading.
7. On the Borders tab, click to place the bottom border on the Preview sample, and then change the Apply to box to Cell.
8. Click OK.
9. On the Forms toolbar, click to select the form field you want. Your form field will be inserted into the bordered table cell.

Method 2: Set Underlined Leader Tabs

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, type the measurement for the first tab stop.
3. Under Alignment, click to select Left.
4. Under Leader, click to select 4, and then click Set.
5. In the Tab stop position box, type the measurement for the second tab stop.
6. Under Alignment, click to select Right.
7. Under Leader, click 4, click Set, and then click OK.

Method 3: Insert Nonbreaking Spaces

Unlike regular spaces, you can underline nonbreaking spaces. To insert nonbreaking spaces follow these steps:

1. Turn on the display of spaces so that you can see the characters once you type them:
   1. On the Tools menu, click Options.
   2. Click to select the View tab.
   3. Under Formatting marks, click the Spaces check box, and then 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.
4. Highlight each nonbreaking space, and then 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.
   
   NOTE: If necessary, repeat steps 3 and 4 on the other side of the form field.

Method 4: Draw the Line Using the Drawing Tool

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 for forms because your drawn underline may accidentally be moved.

For additional information about creating blank underlines, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: