ACcess Form <--> Word Doc

[isaidi]

Not sure if this is the right place to post this, but here goes.

What i have:
A database with about 50 different forms for ENtering and printing varoius data.
This is currently implemented by overlaying fields ontop of an embedded OLE WOrd Document which acts as the template for the form. I have to use this becuase i want the screen form to match the hardcopy form which i only have in Word Doc FOrmat right now.

What i need:
A way to make my database inpendent of the forms. these forms are changed by managers all the time, but these changes are made in the WOrd DOcument version. I would like my database to be dynamic where the manager can import the new changes with out calling a Database Programmer. Changes like Logo, Table rows, layouts, add checkbox..etc..

ideas:
I might have to use mailmerge...? i was just curiuos how the performance might be.. and this will be a multi-user database... i got a feeling mailmerge might not be good. especially it might be a little complicated for an average user to link word to a data source.

I was thinking of an automatic Import Word Document feature..? perhaps ask the user to make bookmarks for all the fields in the word doc and autmatically scan the word document. I would just have to lay it out same way. any modules out there that can scan through a word doc like this?

or any other better suggestions ?

 

[markphsd]

You don't want to use mail merge, you want to use a document template that opens with the ID of the customer or contact you are appling to this document.

This is kind of sophisticated. You would have to first set up access forms that would gather the data, then create a module that can open the word document.

The document will have to have to have code within itself to grab the id and pull the information into it from your database.

Mark P.

http://www.cafecartel.com

Providing Low Cost Powerful Point of Sale Solutions.

 

[isaidi]

Yes i think it will be pretty sohpisticated, but it is doable.
these word documents actually represent test exhibits for equipment, there are many kinds of tests hence alot of documents, and they change frequently.

I have managed to design the tables such that they can handle these dynamic forms/test exhibits.. I can have any number of fields in an Exhibit of any kind and the data will be stored okay. The only problem is the layout of the forms, I need to make it simple to modify these forms as the test exhibit change.

I am not sure I clearly see what you are suggesting...
I may have 50+ kinds of word documents.. i would have to add code to each one ?? this means i would still have to get involved when a test-exhibit changes and a new document is created.

I can't think of any other way to do this with out a pretty complicated Word-Doc Import/convert module.. that would convert a Word Document to an Access Form, there will be specific restrictions imposed on the word document ofcourse.. ie all fields must have bookmarks so they can be scanned.. and check for specific requirements before the document is imported

is there any links or sample modules that can help me implementing this? or am i out-to-lunch with this idea? i can't think of a simpler solution to have Dynamic Forms in my database.