Insert checkbox in Word - this is how it works

Checkbox as a symbol or graphic

If you want to print out the document before filling it in, the easiest way is to add a checkbox as an icon.

1. To do this, click on "Insert" and then on "Symbol". For example, under the “Wingdings” font, an empty box has the character code 168 and a circle has the code 161. Enlarge the inserted character over the font size.
2. Alternatively, you can also use a check box as a graphic insert. To do this, click on “Shapes” under the “Insert” tab and select a suitable shape. Click in your document, move the shape to the desired position with the left mouse button pressed and adjust the size using the dots on the edge.

Insert check box as content control

If you want the document with the check boxes not in printed form but as a

Word- If you would like to pass the document on to fill out or create it for your own purposes, use the check boxes. These are activated or deactivated directly in the document with a mouse click. The completed document can of course also be printed. However, these check boxes are only available for Word 2010. This means that the user who fills out the form must also have Word 2010.

1. If the Developer tab isn't visible on your ribbon, click File, then Options, and then click Customize Ribbon. Activate the box in front of "Developer tools" in the field on the right and confirm.


Create checkboxes in Word 2010 - here's how

If you want to create a document in Word 2010 in which you have to ...

2. Click in your document where you want to insert a check box. Go to the Developer tab, and in the Controls group, click the check box control icon. That's the box with the tick. The check box is inserted.
3. If you now click on the box, you can activate or deactivate it. If the box is checked, you can also change its properties. The corresponding button can also be found in the "Controls" group. For example, to change the icon for a checked check box from a cross to a check mark, click In the dialog box next to "Activated symbol" click on "Change" and select the symbol with the character code 254 under the font "Wingdings".
4. You can protect the Word document in such a way that you can activate and deactivate the check boxes, but otherwise you can no longer change the document. To do this, click on "File", then on "Protect Document" and then on "Restrict Editing". A column for formatting and editing appears on the right. There you activate the box under “Processing restrictions” and select “Filling out forms” in the drop-down menu. Confirm with “Yes, apply protection now”. You can provide a password if you want.

If you pass the form on to several users, pay attention to different file names when saving.