Microsoft Word: Removing All Content Control Boxes

Are you tired of dealing with pesky content control boxes in Microsoft Word? These boxes can be frustrating to work with, especially when trying to find the name of a specific form field. In this article, we'll explore how to remove all content control boxes and assign names to form fields that don't already have one.

Finding the Name of a Current Form Field

When working with form fields in Microsoft Word, it's often necessary to know their names. Unfortunately, finding the name of a current form field can be challenging, especially when using code. The following line of code works, but only if the form field already has a name:

```vb

Selection.FormFields(1).Name = 'myname'

```

However, what happens if you want to assign a name to a form field that doesn't have one? This is where things get tricky.

Assigning a Name to a Form Field

To assign a name to a form field that doesn't already have one, you'll need to use the `Selection.FormFields.Add` method. Here's an example:

```vb

Dim myFormField As Word.FormField

Set myFormField = Selection.FormFields.Add( _

Range:=Selection.Range, Type:=wdContentControlDate)

myFormField.Name = 'myname'

```

In this example, we're creating a new form field and assigning it the name 'myname'.

Removing All Content Control Boxes

Sometimes, you may want to remove all content control boxes from your document. To do this, you can use the following code:

```vb

Dim myContentControls As Word.ContentControls

Set myContentControls = ActiveDocument.ContentControls

For Each myContentControl In myContentControls

myContentControl.Remove

Next myContentControl

```

This code loops through each content control in your document and removes it.

Common Issues with Content Control Boxes

When working with content control boxes, you may encounter several common issues. One issue is that the form fields will be automatically reset when certain operations are performed, such as filling in forms or protecting the document.

Another issue is that the prefix mapping can become confusing, especially when working with custom XML parts. To avoid this confusion, it's recommended to drag nodes from the 'Custom XML Parts' task pane to automatically create these mappings.

In conclusion, removing all content control boxes and assigning names to form fields in Microsoft Word requires some coding knowledge and understanding of how to work with form fields. By following the tips and code examples provided in this article, you should be able to remove all content control boxes and assign names to your form fields. Remember to always use caution when working with code and to test it thoroughly before using it in a production environment.

I hope that helps! Let me know if you have any questions.

Microsoft word removing all content control boxes