How do I make a template or form?

Microsoft Word 2003 - I want to create a form/template with spaces for information. I.e., I want a line called "Name" with space below for complete names not broken into first, last, etc. Then a line called "Relationship Strengths" with space below for notes. (I'll be making several pages worth of questions and spaces for answers) I want a document I can pull up and fill in the spaces 1) without being able to modify any of the original data (i.e."Name" %26amp; "Relationship Strengths") and 2) without being able to save over the original file by accident. I will not be using the forms to organize or sort by any information saved in the spaces and each filled in form will be saved as its own file that can later have the information in the spaces modified as needed.

Can someone get me headed in the right direction?

How do I make a template or form?microsoft windows xp

I only have MS2000, but will assume that many things are the same as 2003. Open MS word and click under file, then new. You should get a popup box with tabs at the top. The General tab should appear by default, but if it does not, click on it. Select blank document. At the bottom right, there should be 2 option buttons, one for document and one for template. Choose the template option and click OK.

I personally feel that inserting tables is the best way to go, because if you start typing lines then they move once you type. You will have to insert each section as a separate table. What I mean by that is, for example, the Name section. This will be one table, Relationship Strengths, another separate table.

Click on Table at the top, click insert, and click table again. All tables you insert will more then likely only need one column. So, Name will be 1 column and 2 rows. Click OK once you have set the column and rows accordingly. Now you will see a table made with 2 long rectangles. If you like to keep them looking that way fine, but you can make them look like separate lines as well. This is very simple. Place your cursor in the top box of the table and right click with your mouse. Select Borders and Shading. On the popup box you receive, you will notice a preview to the right. Click on the areas where you no longer want the lines to be. You should be left with 2 lines on the preview for Name, 1 in the middle and one on the bottom. Click OK. At first you may think it did not work, but click on your print preview button then enlarge if needed. It should look like there are just 2 long horizontal lines there. Click close on the preview.

Now you can type Name in the top box of the table and leave the bottom box empty. Use your down arrow on keyboard to go to the bottom box, then press it 2 more times. This will give you adequate space to insert your second table for Relationship Strengths. Follow the same procedure as above for this table, the only difference will be number of rows (that is up to you). Keep in mind that the title of the section will count as a row, then however many you think you will need for notes. You will follow this same procedure for the entire form you are making. As always, save your work often, maybe after each table made. Keep in mind to just make your initial form here, do not fill in any other info just yet. Once complete, go to Edit, select all, copy, then click on the new blank document icon in the upper left corner of screen. Click paste, then go back to your original form. Click on Tools, select Protect Document, select the Forms option button. You need a password, then you have to enter it a second time. Make sure to write it down so you remember it. Now you should not be able to type anywhere on that form, the cursor should jump to the top, just before Name. Click save. That is your original. Make note of where it is saved at. If you do not know, run a search for it by file name.

Now, you can go to the new document where you pasted the form at. You will be able to fill in the form because that one is not protected. When you want to save it, click on file, and go to "save as". I would suggest saving it under the name you entered.

Now, you have your saved, protected form and one saved form filled out. Use the filled out form, change the name, go to file, "save as", and save it under the new name you just typed in. You can finish filling in the rest of that same form now, then just click the save button icon (because you already have saved it under the file name you wanted). Whenever I use the same forms for different months, I just make sure to use the "save as" option and rename it. Hope this helps you!