How to Create a Multi-Select Diagnosis List in Word
Question details
The user needs to create a form in Word featuring a drop-down list or combo box so users can easily select predefined diagnosis options.
- Product
- Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Designing a medical form, patient chart, or standardized template where predefined diagnosis terms must be selected from a drop-down menu.
- Observed behavior
- A functioning drop-down list or combo box content control is successfully inserted into the document, containing the required diagnosis options.
Before adding form controls like drop-down lists, you must enable the Developer tab in your Word ribbon, as it is hidden by default.
Enable the Developer Tab and Insert a Drop-Down List
This is the primary method for adding predefined selectable lists to a Word document using native Content Controls.
Word provides Content Controls via the Developer tab, allowing you to build interactive forms. While native drop-down lists are single-select, they are the most robust way to standardize diagnosis entry.
Go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon. In the right-hand column under Main Tabs, check the box next to 'Developer' and click OK.
Place your cursor where the diagnosis list should appear in your document. Navigate to the Developer tab, find the Controls group, and click the 'Drop-Down List Content Control' icon.
With the newly inserted drop-down selected, click 'Properties' in the Controls group. In the Drop-Down List Properties section, click 'Add' to enter specific diagnosis options (e.g., Asthma, Hypertension), then click OK to save.
Use Mapped Content Controls for Repeated Selections
Ideal if a diagnosis selected at the top of a document needs to automatically populate in other sections of the patient form.
Create Professional Forms and Drop-Down Lists with WPS Writer
WPS Office offers robust form-building tools that make it incredibly easy to insert drop-down lists, combo boxes, and text fields for medical and business templates.
- 1. Access Form Controls: Open your document in WPS Writer and navigate to the 'Insert' tab to locate the 'Forms' tools.
- 2. Insert a Drop-Down Field: Click on the 'Drop-Down Form Field' option to immediately place a selectable list into your medical template.
- 3. Configure List Options: Double-click the inserted drop-down field to open its options dialog, where you can easily add, remove, and reorder your diagnosis items.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I allow users to select multiple diagnoses from a single drop-down list?
Standard Word drop-down lists and combo boxes only permit single selections. If you genuinely need multi-select functionality, you would have to use a List Box ActiveX control paired with VBA macros, or simply insert multiple Check Box Content Controls for an easier, macro-free alternative.
Why can't I edit the items in my drop-down list after inserting it?
To modify the items inside a content control, you must click the 'Properties' button located in the Controls group of the Developer tab. Ensure that 'Design Mode' is toggled off when you actually want to test the drop-down list functionality.
How do I make the selected diagnosis automatically appear elsewhere in the document?
You can achieve this by using mapped content controls. When you link your drop-down list to a Custom XML part using the XML Mapping Pane, any copied instances of that drop-down list will automatically update when the user changes the main selection.
