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  1. Create your form and click in one of the fill in boxes.

    Military Registration form with the fill in cell for Date of Birth highlighted.
  2. Click the Data Tab, then choose Data Validation.

    Data Tab in Microsoft Excel.Data Validation Button in Microsoft Excel.
  3. In the Data Validation Box, choose Input Message. Then type in some instructions that will help the reader with the form. Click OK. Your end result should show a yellow square with your instructions inside it.

    Data Validation box with Input Message Tab open. Input message section provides instructions.Military Registration Form with the Date of Birth fill in section highlighted. There are instructions next to it in a yellow box.

Section 6.

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4: How to Provide Clear Error Alerts

Error Alerts are a great way to give people some guidance on whether they have filled out the form properly or not. To create an error alert,

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  1. Finally, make sure that if you have fields that are required, you need to add an alert to the reader so they know how many input fields they need to fill.

    A registration form that does not have an indicator to fill out all sections of the form.Image RemovedA military registration form with no indication that all fields need to be filled.Image Added
Warning

This form does not have any hints or indications that all the fields need to be completed. Readers may get confused if they have to fill the whole form or not.

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Tip

This form tells the reader that all fields must be filled to submit the form.

Section 6.

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5: Form Controls and ActiveX Controls

While form controls like buttons, and check boxes are really cool to use, the are not ideal for accessibility. Most controls require users who can only use keyboard to go through a huge number of steps. Sometimes it can take a very long time for a person to check even one box. This must be changed. Instead of making check boxes and buttons, try creating a more accessible way for information to be submitted. One example is a dropdown menu. Another is to have the user type the information after being given a few choices.

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Info

Another good thing to add in forms is a “Clear Form” Button. These buttons will clear the form instantly with one click.

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Section 6.

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6: Locking and Protecting

Forms should always be locked and protected. This is done to protect users from changing information by mistake. To lock and protect your form,

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