Leading the way in Microsoft Office Development

Step 1 - What are Frames ?

A frame is just a container that you can resize and position anywhere on the page.

The difference between frames and text boxes is not that obvious so lets start by explaining the differences.

Text boxes have the same functionality as frames, with several advantages:

Text can be formatted with the full range of commands on the Drawing toolbar.

Text orientation can be changed.

In most cases you should use a text box rather than a frame.

Step 2 - When to use Frames

Despite all the advantages of text boxes there are a couple of things that text boxes cannot contain:

1) Form Fields.

2) Comments (annotations).

3) Footnotes.

4) Certain Fields, such as AutoNum, AutoNumLgl, AutoNumOut, TC, TOC, RD, XE, TA, and TOA.

You should only use a frame when you need to include one of the above in a text box.

Step 3 - Inserting Frames

There are two ways you can add frames to a document.

1) By converting an existing Text Box.

2) Using the Insert Frame button on the Forms toolbar.

Step 4 - Converting an Existing Text Box

Insert a text box using the Drawing toolbar and then use the right mouse button to select "Format Text Box" on the shortcut menu.

This will display the Format Text Box dialog box.

Step 5 - Format Text Box Dialog Box

Select the Text Box tab to display the text box margin properties.

At the bottom right hand corner of this tab is a "Convert to Frame" button.

You will be prompted to confirm that you want to convert this text box to a frame. Press OK.

Step 6 - Using the Forms Toolbar

One of the original uses of frames was to contains form field controls which is why this button is on the Forms toolbar.

 Insert Frame - Inserts a free floating box onto the page that you can format and position.

Step 7 - Things to Remember