MS Word

[Laura-sakura]

I need to complete an application form which has been emailed to me in Microsoft Word. When I type Something in the free boxes, the template gets completely messed up. Is there a way of freezing the form so the lines aren't all over the place? Sorry if this is a little unclear but I'm having trouble explaining.

[Elfin]

Sounds like the idiots who sent it doesn't know how to create a proper form in Word (a common problem). The formatting probably messes up because they have repeatedly used the Space bar to create the input boxes. When you type in there it pushes all the spaces along. You have 2 choices. You can make sure you delete all the spaces that exist after you have typed in your bit (no guarantee with this, because if you have to enter more characters than there are spaces, it'll still push the formatting out). Alternatively (recommended!), print it out and fill it in by hand. [A third option would be to overlay the input areas with text boxes, but this is not good practice either] It is possible for you to make it into a proper form and lock the formatting, but it takes a bit of time - and why should you do all their work for them? Let me know if you need more help. I actually like doing this stuff (god, how much of an anorak am I???)...

[tomd]

Press the Insert key before you type and it will just write on top of the spaces, deleting one for every letter you type. Failing this use line breaks.

[Laura-sakura]

Thanks for both of your suggestions, I did have a go with the insert key but eventually everything got crunched together again. I decided to send it to my dad to print because i don't have a printer, however, I still have to email this guy again and find out his postal address. Perhaps this bad formatting is an initial test for this admin role but I'm beginning to wonder if i really want to work with these people....

[Elfin]

Well it's a bit worrying that they obviously haven't tested their form. I doubt it's a test for you, though. It happens in most companies, so don't be too put off. Use it to your advantage. If you read up on Word before you get the interview, you could stun them with your expertise! Good luck!

[banana]

I filled in a form from the NHS which was just the same. Seems no matter how much money and expertise there is in a business it still comes down to one dork who doesnt check things properly.

[tomd]

You could use it to your advantage, say that judging by the state of their application form they obviously need an admin assistant, but don't mention you couldn't fix it..