IF field - Document Automation

[dcurtis]

I am using Word 2003, SP3. I have a dropdown list in a document that I want to control the text in a field later in the document. I inserted an IF field from the Document Automation list and set the parameters. My problem is that I want the IF field to update as soon as the change is made to the dropdown list, much like an AfterUpdate in Access. Is that possible in Word?

I would search this forum, but the option isn't working right now, at least for me

 

[Phaed]

what kind dropdown?

if activex combobox (dropdown), and use bookmark (not IF field); ComboBox_Change event change bookmark text on fly

Sub ComboBox1_Change()
Dim sBookmark As String
Dim sNewText As String
sBookmark = [i][b]YOURbookmarkName[/b][/i]
sNewText = ComboBox1.Text
Selection.GoTo what:=wdGoToBookmark, Name:=sBookmark
Selection.TypeText Text:=sNewText
' above deletes bookmark locator/name
' so select inserted text
' recreate bookmark (w/ same name) with new text 
Selection.MoveLeft Unit:=wdCharacter, Count:=Len(sNewText), Extend:=wdExtend
    With ActiveDocument.Bookmarks
        .Add Range:=Selection.Range, Name:=sBookmark
    End With
End Sub

bookmark text always = combobox (dropdown) text, even on doc_open - doc_open fires change event. change dropdown, bookmark text changes immediately; activex combo populate from doc_open: sample

Private Sub Document_Open()
ComboBox1.AddItem "One"
ComboBox1.AddItem "two"
ComboBox1.AddItem "three"
ComboBox1.AddItem "four"
ComboBox1.AddItem "five"
ComboBox1.AddItem "six"
End Sub

must be in ThisDocument

 

[Phaed]

what kind dropdown?

if activex combobox (dropdown), and use bookmark (not IF field) Change event change bookmark text on fly;

Sub ComboBox1_Change()
Dim sBookmark As String
Dim sNewText As String
sBookmark = [i]bookmarkName[/i]
sNewText = ComboBox1.Text
Selection.GoTo what:=wdGoToBookmark, Name:=sBookmark
Selection.TypeText Text:=sNewText
Selection.MoveLeft Unit:=wdCharacter, Count:=Len(sNewText), Extend:=wdExtend
    With ActiveDocument.Bookmarks
        .Add Range:=Selection.Range, Name:=sBookmark
        .DefaultSorting = wdSortByName
        .ShowHidden = False
    End With
End Sub

bookmark text will always = combobox (dropdown) text, even on doc_open as doc_open fires change event. change dropdown, bookmark text changes immediately

 

[macropod]

If you set the 'calculate on exit' property of a drop-down formfield to true, and your IF field tests the drop-down formfield's bookmark value, the results will update as soon as you tab out of the formfield. Is that not enough?

 

[dcurtis]

Macropod - I set the dropdown to Calculate on exit and wrote the if to check it, I think. The syntax is:

IF  txtAgency = "AVALUE" "One" "Two" \* MERGEFORMAT

I didn't add the \* MERGEFORMAT - Word automatically adds that and I can't seem to get rid of it.

After I update the dropdown (with the form locked), the If field doesn't change. Am I on the right track?

 

[macropod]

Ordinarily, your drop-down field's bookmark within the IF field should be contained in a REF field, like:
{IF{REF txtAgency}= "AVALUE" "One" "Two"}
or
{IF{txtAgency}= "AVALUE" "One" "Two"}
where the field braces '{}' are created via Ctrl-F9.

Cheers

 

[dcurtis]

I used your code and when I toggle the field code off the following message is displayed

Error! Missing test condition

This is the exact code I put in the field:

{IF {REF txtAgency}="Listen" "Listen, Mentor" "VSAC, Loan"}

Thanks again for your help. I'm sure it's something easy and obvious I am missing.

 

[macropod]

Your field coding looks OK and works for me. What properties are you using in the drop-down field?

Cheers