edit populated Word template after power automate

[Mike44]

I've created a very basic flow wherein a Word template is populated when a new response is submitted in a form.  All works as it should.  The problem I'm running into, is that it may be necessary for the individual who made the submission to edit the Word document at a later point in time.  Again, the Word document, not the Form submission.  When the document is opened and we select the content control with the text to be added or edited, there is no way to do it without deleting all the text in the control.  Is there a setting I can change to allow this?

[fchopo · Accepted solution]

Hi @Mike44 

Some time ago I faced the same issue and unfortunately I don't think it's possible :S

Ferran

[mintlatte]

So you may not need an answer to this anymore - but I figured it out.  I was naming my field and leaving the click to add text blank, but every time I merged - I had the same result - when I removed content control I removed the text.  Do this instead:  Type the name of the filed into the word doc.  Highlight that text, and then click the plain text field - it will turn that text into a content control.  Then when you go to populate the document, the text will show up as the text you typed, so you won't need to name it, the difference is after it creates the file, you can remove the content control and the content will stay.  I am not smart enough to say why, but it solved loads of issues for me. 

[Mike44]

Thanks- I'll give a try next time I create something similar.

[Jojojojojo]

If the person wanting to edit that text, they can press "Design Mode" under the Developer tab in Word they should be able to edit it.

The problem is getting other people to figure this out might be a challenge. 

If anyone finds a better way to edit text I'd love to hear it. 

[mcgeeks]

You can also select the input block in the populated report, cut it (Ctrl-x), and paste it back special as text only.  I cut it and then right click to get the pop-up menu and select the clipboard with the A, that's the paste back as text only option.  That removes the input box from the report and leaves it as editable text only.  That doesn't affect the template that was used to fill the report.  If you have multiple place holder input blocks (as my reports do) it's easier to turn on designer mode in Word and then edit any or all of the fill blocks then save it.