Rich Text Formatting in Word 2007 Form Field

Not using a Form field. In 2007, you could use a rich text content control. Content controls can be filled in on a forms-protected document, so they are compatible.

Thanks Graham.  So, let me be clear.  If I use a Rich Text control.  I can set the field's properties to say, Arial 12.  Does that give the user the ability to bold, underline, italics words directly within the textbox when they want?

Graham, I'm sorry.  I left out a rather important detail.  This is also a protected form.  When I set protection to on.  ALL of my rich text controls go away.  When I am in the control, I can't seem to use any of the RTF controls.  They are all gray.

Sorry. You are right. I haven't tried that before.

It is strange, because formatted text can be copied into the control when the document is protected.

Would an unprotected Section be suitable? That can still be formatted with the ribbon controls or the context menu.

Unfortuantely no.  Our forms here are required to be in Arial 12 and cannot be in any other format.  If we opened up the section to the users, they would wind up changing the font and making a mess of things.  Man, this is frustrating.  Seems like such a simple need!  Thanks Graham.  If you can think of any other way to accomplish this, I'm all ears!!

Graham, I love that suggestion.  I've been playing with it a little and I really like its chances of being my solution.  Only problem I am having is that when I select the text I want to bold, and then I go to click the command button with the code to bold, my selection gets lost with the click on the command button.  Make sense?  So nothing gets bolded.  Graham, this definitely seems like an awesome solution.  Can you give me any advice on how to make my text selection stick even after I click the command button?

It depends where the button is. If it's on a toolbar, then that shouldn't happen. If it's an ActiveX button on the document,then that would entail a change of selction in the act of clicking.

Oops. You are using 2007 which doesn't have toolbars. I'll need to research the toolbar equivalent for 2007.

The button is on the form itself.  Right above the form field.  So, does that mean using a command button on the form itself is not doable?  Do I have to add buttons to the toolbar/ribbon?  Just to muddy the waters a little bit more.  I will have some users who are using Word 2000 and 2003.  If that changes anything at all, not sure.  Thanks for all your help in researching this for me Graham!

Unfortunately it does a bit.

It seems that the procedure for assigning macros to command bar buttons has been replaced by the simpler, but less flexible assignation to to the Quick Access Toolbar.

The Quick Access Toolbar is at the top left of all Office application windows. There is a tiny down arrow to the right of it. Click on that and choose 'More Commands...' This will open the 'Word Options' 'Customize' window. In the left-hand dropdown, choose Macros. Find your macro in the list below and click on the 'Add>>' button.

Note that you can change the Icon and the display name with the Modify... button, now or later.

OK, so this sounds like a solution that might work well for 2007, but will not work for previous versions.  Thanks Graham!  I really appreciate your help.  I'll give you the points now on the solution you listed above!  Thanks again.  If you come up with anything else, I'd love to hear it.  Thanks!

Thanks. The procedure for 2003 is similar. You start with Tools/Customize. You have to look for Macros in the commands list. When you see your macro in the left hand box, you have to drag it to a visible toolbar.