How to Use Multiple Bullet Points in a Word Form Field
Question details
The user needs a fillable form field that allows typing multiple sentences, where each sentence begins with its own bullet point.
- Product
- Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Creating a fillable form using developer tools where respondents need to input multiple bulleted list items.
- Observed behavior
- The current developer form field only permits a single bullet point, inserting a line break instead of a new bulleted paragraph when Enter is pressed.
Ensure that the Developer tab is enabled in your Word ribbon, as you will need access to the Content Control tools to modify your form fields.
Replace the Plain Text Control with a Rich Text Content Control
Switching to a Rich Text Content Control allows the form field to recognize multiple paragraphs and advanced formatting, properly generating new bullet points.
There are two primary text content-control types in Word: Rich Text and Plain Text. A Plain Text field typically inserts a line break instead of a true paragraph break when Enter is pressed. Since bullet points are a paragraph-level style, using a Rich Text control enables true paragraph breaks.
Select the existing Plain Text Content Control in your document and delete it.
Click on the empty paragraph where the field will go, and apply your desired bullet point style from the Home tab.
Navigate to the Developer tab on the ribbon and click on the 'Rich Text Content Control' icon (usually represented by an 'Aa' icon with richer formatting) to insert the new field.
Restrict editing to 'Filling in forms' to protect the document, then type into the field. Pressing Enter will now create a new bullet point for each sentence.
Easily Create Fillable Forms with WPS Writer
WPS Office provides robust developer tools for creating complex, fillable forms with rich text formatting, making it effortless to build templates that require multi-paragraph bulleted lists.
- 1. Open WPS Writer: Launch WPS Writer and create a new document or open your existing form template.
- 2. Access Developer Tools: Navigate to the 'Developer' tab on the top ribbon. If it is hidden, enable it in the customized ribbon settings.
- 3. Insert Rich Text Control: Click on the 'Rich Text Content Control' button to insert a field that supports advanced formatting and bulleted lists.
- 4. Save as DOCX: Save your document in the standard .docx format to ensure seamless compatibility with Microsoft Word users.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does pressing Enter in my form field not create a new bullet point?
If you are using a Plain Text Content Control, pressing Enter creates a soft line break rather than a new paragraph. Because bullet points are applied at the paragraph level, you must use a Rich Text Content Control to allow multiple paragraphs and generate multiple bullets.
How do I enable the Developer tab to access Content Controls?
Go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon. In the right pane under Main Tabs, check the box next to 'Developer' and click OK. This tab contains all the tools necessary to insert and modify form fields.
Can I lock the rest of the document but allow users to type in the bulleted fields?
Yes. Once you have inserted your form fields, go to the Developer or Review tab, select 'Restrict Editing', check the box for 'Allow only this type of editing in the document', and choose 'Filling in forms'. You can then enforce protection with an optional password.
