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Thanks to the many who responded with ideas about how to create a
reusable form using Clarisworks.  I have tried some of these suggestions
and the teacher involved has tried some.  She has figured out a workable
alternative.  Some of the suggestions given are for Mac computers and
some are for IBM compatibles.  I forgot to specify which platform we
were working on, so I received both types of information.  I have
included all of these in the hit.  Thank you for your help!!  Many of
you even sent me your phone numbers so I could call if I needed phone
tutorial.  You are generous people!  My big laugh was receiving a
message from Chris with the subject heading "ClarisDoesn'tWorks".
-----------------------

Cathy,
A work-around is to use the text tool from the tool
pallette to create text boxes.  These boxes will not
affect the template in any way.  To do this, make sure
the tool pallette is activated.  You can select this
from the View menu.  Then double click on the text tool
(the box that looks like the letter A--to the right of
the arrow).  Hold down the option key while drawing a
text box with the mouse.  Release the mouse and then
start typing in your comments.  Since this is a
graphic, you can make it any size you want.  You can
change the font and the size and the style.  You can
reposition it.  What you've created is text that acts
like graphics.  This has always worked for me.  Good
luck.
------
Cathy--In word processing it will shift unless--you hold down the option
key and "draw" or create a text box.  Then you can type into the text
box.  Once you've finished, you can select the text box and move it into
the position you want over the line.
------
Cathy, do you have a switch for INSERT / TYPEOVER?  It sounds like
the wordprocessing program is in INSERT mode, which will shift
everything. If you can change to TYPEOVER, lines won't shift.  It
may be as simple as **not hitting **  (or ** hitting** ) the insert
before starting to type.

Try this, while in the document, press the insert key and watch the
cursor. If it changes shape, it shows the change in condition between
Insert and Typeover.
------
I don't know how extensive the fields are, but have you thought of
making
it a "Spreadsheet" document?  You can make the fields as large as you
need,
and you can make the text wrap-around so that it stays contained in the
field.  I use this for our homework hotline -- the teachers fill it out
every day on the computer and nothing shifts!!!

Hope this helps!
------
Cathy, this is something I've scratched my head about for years. Here is
one solution, and it will work IF the IEPs don't require vastly
different
amounts of space for the entries from one person to another. Two samples
are attached--one of them a template, and the other the filled in form.
On
the blank form, just click in after the colon in each section and start
typing. If you're familiar with frames, it may help to know that I
created
each text box by dragging a text frame of the right size on a draw page.
On
the form, each box will appear (when you click into it) to be only the
size
of a single line, but as you keep typing it will stretch out. I have no
idea what's on an IEP, so this is totally bogus. If you need more help,
let
me know. I'm in ClarisWorks about 8 hrs. a day. (P.S., these are in CW
4.0
format. Also, as I was attaching IEPtemp, I got some message about it
being
a stationery pad and any changes would be saved into the doc
itself--that's
confusing. You might want to do a save as (as stationery) before you
play
with it, just in case email does something weird to stationery...)

I would:
        Do this form in the Draw module--not in word processing.
        Put each segment that requires a fill in in a separate text box.
        Make sure that each of these also contains at the beginning the
identifier or question for what is to be filled in (is not just a blank
text box.)
        Get the text boxes in position and sized so that you have a big
enough space to enter what you need.
        Select all text boxes and lock them in position.
        Now you can click into one of these after the printed text and
enter what you wish. You won't accidentally move them around and your
words
will not move over. If you want things to look underlined (but why?)
just
set it so that the default style is underline.)

I'm attaching an example. I have no idea what's on an IEP, so this is
totally bogus. If you need more help, let me know. I'm in CW about 8
hrs. a
day.
-----
Cathy-

Have you tried entering the information you want to stay put in a text
box
then putting the box where you want it on the page? Use a separate box
for
each piece of info that requires a response, the group all the boxes and
lock them.
------
Try creating the template in spreadsheet instead of WP doc.  Remember,
you can resize columns, line heights, fonts.  By the time you shut off
the grid lines and row and column labels, it will look perfect.

If you must stay in WP, turn on your Invisibles (a Shortcut) and at
least you'll see why your lines are getting bumped around.

Claris is wonderful and worth fixing the bugs!
------
Cathy,
Once you've created the document that you want to make into a template,
close it so that you can only see the icons in the folder where it is
saved.  Across the top of the screen should be the original desktop
choices of
"FILE, EDIT, and SPECIAL".  Click ONCE on the icon for the document so
that it is highlighted.  Then go to FILE and drag down to  GET INFO.
The GET
INFO window should come up.  At the bottom of it there should be the
choices LOCKED and STATIONARY.  Click on STATIONARY, and then on
LOCKED.  (If
you try to lock it first then you can't make it stationary.  Don't ask
me
why!  :-) )

Now that you've done that, you should be able to go back and open that
document, but instead of it opening up with the name you gave it, it
will
open up as a document called UNTITLED, yet with all the things one it
that
you locked on.  You'll then be able to add anything you want to, and
then
save it under its own name.
------
One of our Middle School teachers created just such a template with
Filemaker Pro.  All of our spec. ed. staff use it and I don't think it
has
the problem you are referring to.
------
Cathy,

ClarisWorks is not really made for forms.  It can be done.  I kept my
IEP's on it years ago and more recently our PO form.

Create the form in the word processor, but use a draw box for any text
that will stay in a permanant place.  This way when you type the
"drawings" don't move.  Adjust the draw boxes to the lines of type as
you need to.  Then set tabs at the beginning of each line.
--
Cathy Daane
Library Media Specialist
Stone Bank School
N68 W33866 Hwy K
Oconomowoc, WI  53066
(414)966-2900
cjdaane@stonebank.k12.wi.us

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