abbyy-software formreader Guía Del Usuario
Developing forms using Microsoft Word 2000
(For the purposes of this guide we assume you already have a working knowledge of MS Word. If this is not the
case, please consult the extensive literature, which is available with the application.)
In the absence of a graphics editor, you can also use MS Word to create your forms.
MS Word is a word processing application and as such is not really suitable for complex form design. Unlike
graphics packages, it does not feature an entire set of editing tools, and therefore, there are certain limits to the types
of form you can design using it. We recommend that MS Word be used for creating black & white forms only.
Important! When designing forms using word processing applications, it is vital that all forms be printed using the
same printer. If this is not done, the forms printed will differ from the source document, and in essence they will not
be machine-readable.
Note. In order to facilitate form creation in MS Word, a number of sample forms (located in the Forms\MS_Word
folder on the Form Reader CD) are provided, created using MS Word tools. These files contain practically all the
form elements you are likely to use. To use any of them on your form, open the file, copy the necessary element (by
MS Word tool), then open your form and paste it to it. You can change the size and colors of the elements if
necessary.
case, please consult the extensive literature, which is available with the application.)
In the absence of a graphics editor, you can also use MS Word to create your forms.
MS Word is a word processing application and as such is not really suitable for complex form design. Unlike
graphics packages, it does not feature an entire set of editing tools, and therefore, there are certain limits to the types
of form you can design using it. We recommend that MS Word be used for creating black & white forms only.
Important! When designing forms using word processing applications, it is vital that all forms be printed using the
same printer. If this is not done, the forms printed will differ from the source document, and in essence they will not
be machine-readable.
Note. In order to facilitate form creation in MS Word, a number of sample forms (located in the Forms\MS_Word
folder on the Form Reader CD) are provided, created using MS Word tools. These files contain practically all the
form elements you are likely to use. To use any of them on your form, open the file, copy the necessary element (by
MS Word tool), then open your form and paste it to it. You can change the size and colors of the elements if
necessary.
Preparing the workspace.
Before you begin to design a form, switch to Print Layout view mode (View> Print Layout), and set up
the following page options:
Before you begin to design a form, switch to Print Layout view mode (View> Print Layout), and set up
the following page options:
1. Paper
size.
2. Left and right, top and bottom borders.
3. Grid.
3. Grid.
Paper size
When you set up the Paper size, you must decide on:
When you set up the Paper size, you must decide on:
the number of fields you wish to place on the form;
the printer you will use to print your forms.
Most forms are usually А4 size, however, smaller sized forms can also be used. In some cases it may be possible to
place several small-sized forms on one sheet of A4 paper, and separate them by means of cutting lines (dashed or
solid) along which the paper will be cut.
To set up the paper size select Page Setup item in the File menu.
place several small-sized forms on one sheet of A4 paper, and separate them by means of cutting lines (dashed or
solid) along which the paper will be cut.
To set up the paper size select Page Setup item in the File menu.
Page margins
Black squares must be located at least 8 mm away from the edge of the paper (12 mm is recommended). The sample
form has margins of 10 mm. To set up the page margins, select Page Setup in the File menu.
Black squares must be located at least 8 mm away from the edge of the paper (12 mm is recommended). The sample
form has margins of 10 mm. To set up the page margins, select Page Setup in the File menu.
Grid
“Snap to grid” mode makes it easy to align the form elements.
The grid is only used for form creation, and is never actually printed.
“Snap to grid” mode makes it easy to align the form elements.
The grid is only used for form creation, and is never actually printed.
To select “snap to grid” mode:
1. Click the Draw button on the Drawing toolbar and select the Grid item from
the local menu. The “Drawing grid” dialog will open.
2. Set up the following parameters:
Horizontal and vertical spacing (Grid settings)
Both vertical and horizontal spacing should be set to 0.1 cm
as this setting allows you to align/position objects and character spaces
inside the field precisely, and also to set precise distances between the text
field lines.
Display gridlines on screen
This option displays the gridlines on screen. In order to display all the
gridlines, set the “Vertical every” and “Horizontal every” to “1”.
Snap to grid
This option allows you to align the form elements using the gridlines and
to position the form elements at a given distance (multiple of grid spacing) to each other.
Both vertical and horizontal spacing should be set to 0.1 cm
as this setting allows you to align/position objects and character spaces
inside the field precisely, and also to set precise distances between the text
field lines.
Display gridlines on screen
This option displays the gridlines on screen. In order to display all the
gridlines, set the “Vertical every” and “Horizontal every” to “1”.
Snap to grid
This option allows you to align the form elements using the gridlines and
to position the form elements at a given distance (multiple of grid spacing) to each other.
Note. If, after you click OK, the gridlines are still not displayed on screen, try changing the Zoom of the document.
After the workspace and the grid settings are both set up, you can start creating the form.
After the workspace and the grid settings are both set up, you can start creating the form.