Overview
Forms in Word DOCX format can be imported into SpecLink Cloud. All subscribers have access to this feature.
Examples of forms that can be imported are:
- Sustainability docs
- BIM Access License Agreements
- CCDs
This article covers the following topics:
For more information regarding the Document Library and Supplemental documents, please see this related article.
Additionally, Specification sections in Word DOCX format can be imported into SpecLink Cloud.
Learn more here:
- Importing a Word Document (DOCX) Specification Section
- Preparing a Word Document (DOCX) for Import into SpecLink Cloud
Specification Sections vs Forms
Specification Sections:
- Database: Linking, Updates, Tag Reports.
Forms:
- Word Processing: Retains most formatting of source documents, speed.
What’s the same?
- Appear in the Sections tab and Sections dropdown list.
- Activated/deactivated/excluded in Sections page and Sections dropdown list.
- Active form sections are printed as part of the active project.
- Inactive form sections are not printed/exported as part of active project.
- Automated TOC includes active Form sections along with active Spec Sections.
- (All Sections TOC includes inactive Form sections along with inactive Spec Sections.)
- Global Terms can be utilized.
- Headers/Footers are not imported.
- Headers/Footers are applied through Header/Footer dialog at either project or section level.
What’s different?
- Identification:
- No sequence numbers, therefore, no selection or deselection of sequences / paragraphs.
- No paragraph Levels, therefore, no consequential hierarchical relationship between paragraphs.
- When section is printed/exported, every paragraph is included in the output.
- No notes, links, tags, choices, or reference standards.
- All Forms are user sections, as there are no Master Forms at this time.
- Slightly different behavior/interface for Tables and Find.
- No style templates.
Role Permissions
The default lowest role for importing forms is Expert for both Project and Office Masters Projects
The default lowest role for editing an imported form is based on the current role selected for the "Text Editing, Formatting, and Paragraph/Section Selections" permission. This is applicable for both Projects and Office Masters.
Learn more about Role Permissions here.
Importing a Form in Word Document (DOCX) Format
Follow the steps below to import a form or alternate document in Word Document (DOCX) Format:
- If the file to be imported is not already a DOCX file, open the file in your word processor or text editor and use the "Save As" function to save it as a Word Document (DOCX). In most word processors or text editors, this is accomplished by choosing "Save As" from the File menu. The "Save As" dialog box has a drop-down box at the bottom called "Save As Type". Click the drop-down and change the file format to DOCX. Change the location if desired and click Save.
- In SpecLink Cloud, from the Sections list click the red New button.
- From the New menu select Import From Word, then Form.
- Navigate to the DOCX file you want to import and either double-click it, or click on it once and click Open.
- The Import from Word window opens. The Section ID, Suffix, and Section Name fields are editable allowing custom content to be added.
The Folder option is available to those who've subscribed to the Flexible Content premium feature set.
Learn more here: Flexible Content - Customizable Folders.
- Click OK. Your new Form section will be placed into the correct subdivision folder and will open the location automatically. Click the new Form section to open it in SpecLink Cloud.
Forms Toolbar
Review the descriptions of the tools found in the SpecLink Cloud Forms toolbar below.
| Icon | Name | Description |
| Sections List | The Sections list provides the ability to activate / deactivate sections as well as view all sections or just active sections. | |
| Includes printing and exporting options. | ||
| Reporting | Provides reporting options such as Submittals and tag reports. | |
| Find & Replace | Search the specification for a term and replace the term with another desired term. | |
| Undo / Redo | Undo last action, Redo last action “undone”. | |
| Check Box | Insert a checkbox into the form. | |
| Increase / Decrease Indent | Allows the user to change the parental hierarchy of a paragraph or branch. Forms do not have levels, so the hierarchy will not be enforced. | |
| Copy / Cut / Paste | Cut or copy text and paste it elsewhere within the specification. | |
| Font Name | Highlight the selected text, then use the pull down menu to select the desired font name. | |
| Font Size | Highlight the selected text, then use the pull down menu to select the desired font size. | |
| Bold, Italicize, Underline | Select to Bold, Italicize, Underline the selected text. | |
| Insert Hyperlink | Insert a hyperlink within the selected text. Learn more about inserting hyperlinks. | |
| Format Options | Strikethrough, Subscript, Superscript the selected text. | |
| Alignment | Select from left, center, right, or justify options. | |
| Insert Table | Insert a table where selected. | |
| Insert Image | Insert an image (maximum 1MB) from an outside location into the selected sequence. Image sizes can be scaled to: Max 600 x 600px. Min 50 x 50px. | |
|
Header/Footer |
Header/Footer allows for the creation and editing of the header and footer. | |
| Page Setup | The page setup tools allow you to change the margins and layout of the printed form. |
Comments
9 comments
Is there a way to import a form NOT as its own section? ie why can forms not be integrated into an existing section at the end?
also, was trying to export a form to pdf as a document, but software would not let me. Is this not possible?
EDIT: found the issue with printing individual section...
Hi Michael,
The content of a form can be copied, then pasted into the end of a section if that's what you need.
Give our Support team a call if you are running into any issues with this.
Thanks!
Gary Christensen
Forms needs to be able to support landscape layout. Not every form fits neatly in portrait layout.
Hi Jeff,
A feature enhancement request is on-going for supporting landscape layout.
Thanks! - Gary Christensen
hoping to import PDF project forms, RFIs, Change Order examples etc.
A feature enhancement request is on-going for importing PDF's. Please reach out to Support if you have any questions. Thanks!
I want to request an enhancement to forms to change the font color. I had an issue when I copied and pasted something yesterday that was blue when I pasted, the text turned black, and I was not able to get it back to its original color.
I added a user section and it's active (i.e. the box is checked) but it's not showing up on the Table of Contents. Suggestions?
Hi Shannon - User sections do not automatically appear in the Table of Contents section at this time. Please review the article Add a User Section to the Table of Contents Section 000110 for the steps to add the user section to the Table of Contents section. Please reach out to Support if you have any questions. Thanks!
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