Microsoft Word: Create a Checklist

How to Make an Electronically Checkable Checklist in MS Word

Sep 20, 2009

Organization is the key to success in almost any topic. This article will show how to create a checklist using Microsoft Word.

Having a checklist at a person's fingertips can help them stay on task and achieve more in as much time as they otherwise might. With so many workflows now on computers, it makes sense to be able to create a checklist in Microsoft Word that allows a user to check off items as they go. Since these checklists are interactive within Microsoft Word, it's unnecessary to print them off if one wants to check items off the list. Now it can all be done within a program on a computer.

Create a Table

In Microsoft Word there are a few different ways of creating a table. Table -> Insert -> Table will bring up a dialogue box that lets one enter how many rows and columns one will want to include in the table. Table -> Draw will lets one use a pencil tool to simply draw the table desired. Whatever one's preference for table creation, it's first necessary to create a table if one wants to make a checklist.

Open the Form Toolbar

If the Form Toolbar isn't already open it will be necessary to open it. This is done by going to the Tools menu and choosing Customize. This brings up a window with three tabs, the leftmost of which is Toolbars. From here it's possible to check the boxes of any toolbars you want shown. Select Forms and click on Close.

Add a Checkbox

With a cell in the table now selected and the form toolbar open, it's now necessary to add a checkbox. One does this by clicking on the Check Box Form Field button on the Forms toolbar. It's possible to create checkboxes wherever one might want them to be. If the background shading of the checkboxes looks visually unappealing, one can click on the Form Field Shading button to toggle the shading on and off.

Lock the Document

It might be noticed if one tries to use the checkboxes that if one clicks on them they only end up getting selected rather than actually having a check mark put in the box. To use the checkbox instead of select it it's first necessary to lock the form to prevent further modifications. This will prevent word from selecting the boxes but rather will force the cursor to interact directly with the function of them.

Optional: Save as Template

Everyone will most likely have a use for a checklist at some point. Being able to make one in a word document will come in handy for wedding planning, household chores, or even online shopping.

The copyright of the article Microsoft Word: Create a Checklist in Computer Software is owned by Sarah Mikula. Permission to republish Microsoft Word: Create a Checklist in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.