How to Add a Date Picker to a Protected Word Document Header
Question details
Users need a way to insert a Date Picker in the header of a document that remains editable after the document is protected as a restricted fill-in form.
- Product
- Word Processing Software
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Creating a standardized restricted template or fill-in form where users are required to select a specific date that automatically appears in the document header.
- Observed behavior
- When the document is protected for 'Filling in forms', the header area is completely locked, preventing users from clicking or editing the Date Picker Content Control located there.
Ensure that the Developer tab is enabled in your ribbon and that document protection is temporarily turned off so you can insert the necessary controls.
Use a Linked Document Property Content Control
This is the most reliable method for restricted fill-in forms. By placing a linked date property in the main body and mirroring it in the header, users can edit the date safely without unlocking the header.
Headers and footers are locked by default when a document is restricted to filling in forms. To bypass this, you must allow the user to input the date in an editable section of the document body, which will then automatically mirror the inputted date in the protected header.
Click anywhere on the first page of your document body. Go to the Insert tab, click on Quick Parts, hover over Document Property, and select 'Publish Date'.
Double-click the header area to open it. Go back to Insert > Quick Parts > Document Property, and select 'Publish Date' again to place the exact same control in the header.
Go to the Developer tab and click 'Restrict Editing'. Check the box for 'Allow only this type of editing in the document', select 'Filling in forms' from the dropdown, and click 'Yes, Start Enforcing Protection'.
Select a date using the Publish Date control in the main body of the document. The date in the protected header will automatically update to match your selection.
Use CreateDate or StyleRef Fields
If the date does not need to be manually picked by the user every time, use dynamic fields to automatically populate the header date.
Add Date Fields to Headers Easily in WPS Office
WPS Writer provides an intuitive and highly compatible environment for managing document headers, footers, and fill-in forms. You can easily insert dynamic date and time fields that remain functional across various document templates.
- 1. Open Document in WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office and open your form or document template.
- 2. Edit the Header: Double-click the top margin of the page to activate the Header and Footer editing mode.
- 3. Insert Date and Time: Navigate to the Insert tab, click on 'Date and Time', select your preferred format, and check 'Update automatically' if needed.
- 4. Save Changes: Double-click the main document body to close the header and save your template settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my Date Picker locked in the header after protecting the document?
When a document is protected specifically for 'Filling in forms', structural areas like the header and footer are locked to prevent unauthorized changes. Any content controls placed within these locked areas become read-only and cannot be interacted with by users.
How do I make the Developer tab visible to insert content controls?
Go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon. In the list of Main Tabs on the right side of the window, check the box next to Developer, then click OK. The Developer tab will now appear on your top ribbon.
What is a Document Property Content Control?
It is a specialized type of content control that links directly to the document's built-in metadata properties (such as Publish Date, Author, or Title). When you place the same property control in multiple areas of the document, updating one instance will automatically update all others.
