About content controls

Content controls are individual controls that you can add and customize for use in templates, forms, and documents. For example, many online forms are designed with a drop-down list control that provides a restricted set of choices for the user of the form. Content controls can provide instructional text for users, and you can set controls to disappear when users type in their own text.

For detailed information about content controls, including descriptions an instructions for each type of control, see Create forms that users complete or print in Word.

You can find the content controls on the Developer tab.

View the Developer tab to add or change content controls

2016, 2013, 2007 2007

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1. Click File > Options > Customize Ribbon.

2. In the list of tabs under Customize the Ribbon, select the Developer box and then click OK.

3. Do one of the following:

   • To add a control, click in the document where you want to add it, and then click the control you want to add on the Design tab.

   • To set properties on a control or change an existing control, on the Developer tab, in the Controls group, click Properties.

1. Click the Microsoft Office Button > Word Options > Popular.

2. Select Show Developer tab in the Ribbon, and then click OK.

3. Do one of the following:

   • To add a control, click in the document where you want to add it, and then click the control you want to add on the Design tab.

   • To set properties on a control or change an existing control, on the Developer tab, in the Controls group, click Properties.

For detailed information about content controls, including descriptions an instructions for each type of control, see Create forms that users complete or print in Word.