I'm trying to create an accessible job application. It will be
available online. I'm using the "form" toolbar, and locking the form
template when I'm done. I used text boxes where applicants can enter
their information (name, address, education, etc.). I used the
"alternative text" feature so people using screen readers would know
what information was required.

The problem is that whenever I enter something into the text box, it
messes up all the formatting below it. I drew lines so people could
see where to write the information, and also to separate the different
sections of the applicatin. When you add information to the text box
is separates the lines from the relevant text, breaks up different
sections of the application, etc. It looks like a total mess. I've
tried specifying the number of characters for the text box, but it
still pushes all the formatting after it around depending on what you
enter.

Is there a way to "lock" all the text and/or formatting so that it
won't move when you add information to the text boxes? Do I need to do
something different with the text box? Should I be doing this in a
completely different way (keep in mind that it needs to be accessible)?
Thanks.

Most forms creators find it more satisfactory to use tables. You can apply
borders selectively (using a bottom border to create a line) and set the
rows to an Exact height so that the form is not distorted.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
Word MVP FAQ site: http://word.mvps.org
Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup so
all may benefit.

"curley" wrote in message
oups.com...
I'm trying to create an accessible job application. It will be
available online. I'm using the "form" toolbar, and locking the form
template when I'm done. I used text boxes where applicants can enter
their information (name, address, education, etc.). I used the
"alternative text" feature so people using screen readers would know
what information was required.

The problem is that whenever I enter something into the text box, it
messes up all the formatting below it. I drew lines so people could
see where to write the information, and also to separate the different
sections of the applicatin. When you add information to the text box
is separates the lines from the relevant text, breaks up different
sections of the application, etc. It looks like a total mess. I've
tried specifying the number of characters for the text box, but it
still pushes all the formatting after it around depending on what you
enter.

Is there a way to "lock" all the text and/or formatting so that it
won't move when you add information to the text boxes? Do I need to do
something different with the text box? Should I be doing this in a
completely different way (keep in mind that it needs to be accessible)?
Thanks.

It was my understanding that tables should not be used for formatting
because they are not "accessible-friendly" to screen readers. Is this
no longer an issue?

I have no knowledge about this one way or the other.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
Word MVP FAQ site: http://word.mvps.org
Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup so
all may benefit.

"curley" wrote in message
oups.com...
It was my understanding that tables should not be used for formatting
because they are not "accessible-friendly" to screen readers. Is this
no longer an issue?