OT: Need to convert 170 ms word files to LOCKED DOWN FORMS

[spacescape]

Ok, I've been approached again by my dad's client. They have 170 MS Word Form files that they want to e-mail, have the client fill them out, print, sign (need legal signature) & mail/fax/hand deliver. Obviously, they can already do this w/ the word form. However, they want the form part of the file LOCKED so no one can edit this information (insurance forms so they don't want anyone changing the fine print, etc.). I created a LOCKED PDF form which you can e-mail the form data and when you open up the form data it will "re-link" itself to the correct PDF so you don't have to refill it out... The problem is that most of their clients don't understand this concept and end up loosing their data.

So, is there an easy way to lock the form data in the MS Word file (needing a password to change this data) but still allowing the customer to fill out the form in MS Word and Saving the form w/ their data filled out.... NOT TOUCHING THE FINE PRINT...

If not, is there any 3rd party applications that would accomplish this? They are an insurance firm so this would have to be an Windows Applications.

Thanks for any advice...

Bill

[mattkime]

I'd say "sorry, its PDF or I'm out of ideas"

also, i don't understand why they'd understand it with MS Word and not PDF.

further is it a good idea to assume that people have a multi hundred dollar software package?

[MikeF]

Search MS Word help for forms. There are methods to create fill-in forms that don't allow editing.

[ztirffritz]

PDF is the best way that I can think of. I can be done with Word, but it is a right pain in the rear. There are ways, easy ways, to crack the security of Word/Excel documents.

[TheTominator]

spacescape Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I created a
> LOCKED PDF form which you can e-mail the form data
> and when you open up the form data it will
> "re-link" itself to the correct PDF so you don't
> have to refill it out...


Did you do this using FDF files in conjunction with PDF?

[spacescape]

Yes, it would e-mail the FDF and when you clicked on the Adobe FDF file it would ask for you to locate the PDF file... I thought it worked GREAT...

[M A V I C]

Well, if you have to ensure neither of them can be edited, both Word docs and PDFs are out. This is because there are known methods to circumvent edit protection.

Since you're going the digital route and using email, have you thought about a web-based form?

[TheTominator]

Today's task for me sounds like it has some similarities to your situation.

I'm working today on connecting a web page form to a PDF file. This is for an employment application. The visitor has the option to either download and use the PDF document (fill it in, print it out, snail mail it) or to fill in a web page form. I'm working toward getting the data from the web page form to be auto-converted to FDF so that the human resources department receiving the online application submission can easily print out a nicely formatted and filled-in PDF version.

I haven't connected all of the dots techinically but I think it should work.