Tutorial

Managing Contract Templates with Content Controls in Microsoft Word

Posted on by Jeff Kirksey
05
Apr

Law firms often use standardized documents such as engagement letters, NDAs, purchase agreements, and real estate contracts. Microsoft Word’s Content Controls feature allows legal teams to create form-fillable contract templates that streamline document preparation and reduce drafting errors.

This tutorial explains how to build a reusable contract template using Content Controls, Document Properties, and Developer tools in Word.

Step-by-Step Guide: Creating a Contract Template with Fillable Fields

Step 1: Enable the Developer Tab in Word

  1. Open Microsoft Word.
  2. Click File > Options > Customize Ribbon.
  3. Check the box next to Developer in the right column.
  4. Click OK.

🛠️ Tip: The Developer tab gives you access to content controls for inserting text boxes, dropdowns, and date pickers.

Step 2: Insert Rich Text and Date Controls in a Contract

  1. Click Developer > Rich Text Content Control to insert a field (e.g., for Client Name, Contract Amount).
  2. Click Developer > Date Picker Content Control to insert a fillable date field (e.g., Effective Date).
  3. Click the field and select Properties to:
    • Name the field
    • Lock the control (to prevent deletion)
    • Add placeholder text (e.g., “Enter client name”)
  4. Repeat this process throughout your template.

📄 Legal Use Case: Use content controls in real estate contracts for buyer/seller names, closing dates, and purchase amounts.

Step 3: Add Dropdown Lists for Standardized Clauses

  1. Click Developer > Dropdown List Content Control.
  2. Click Properties > Add to enter items such as:
    • “Arbitration”
    • “Mediation”
    • “Litigation in State Court”
  3. Save the control.
  4. The user can choose one method from the list during contract generation.

⚖️ Compliance Tip: Dropdowns prevent unapproved modifications to jurisdiction or dispute resolution language.

Step 4: Protect the Template from Edits

  1. Click Developer > Restrict Editing.
  2. Under Editing Restrictions, check “Filling in forms”.
  3. Click Yes, Start Enforcing Protection.
  4. Set a password if desired.

🔐 Security Note: Use template protection to preserve approved language and layout.

Step 5: Save as a Reusable Template (.dotx)

  1. Click File > Save As.
  2. Choose Word Template (*.dotx) as the file type.
  3. Store the template in a shared SharePoint or OneDrive folder for firm-wide access.

💼 Productivity Tip: Use these templates in document automation workflows with Microsoft 365 or third-party platforms like Clio or NetDocuments.

Conclusion

By using Content Controls in Microsoft Word, legal professionals can create form-fillable, standardized contracts that reduce drafting time, eliminate inconsistencies, and increase compliance across practice groups.