Difference between Content Controls and Legacy Controls in Microsoft Word
Content controls and legacy controls are two types of controls in Microsoft Word. Here's a breakdown of their differences:
- Content controls are newer controls that allow you to add structured content to your document. They are found in the Developer tab and include options such as text boxes, drop-down lists, and date pickers. Content controls are designed to be more user-friendly and easier to use than legacy controls.
- Legacy controls are older controls that have been around for a long time in Word. They are found in the Legacy Forms section of the Developer tab and include options such as check boxes, radio buttons, and combo boxes. Legacy controls are more complex and require more technical knowledge to use than content controls.
If you are working with a document that was created in an older version of Word, it may already have legacy controls in it. In this case, it may be easier to continue using legacy controls rather than converting everything to content controls. Additionally, if you need more advanced functionality than what is available in content controls, you may need to use legacy controls and add some custom VBA code.
However, in general, it is recommended to use content controls whenever possible. They are easier to use and more user-friendly, and they are the direction that Microsoft is moving in with future versions of Word.