How to construct a paper form inside Excel by scanning the form into Excel

[yabi100]

I hope I am asking in the right place. Also this is some how related to Excel

not completely.

My task:
I have 5 paper forms. I have all my database inside an excel table sheet. I

have to fill 5 forms for each record. I have constructed 2 of the forms in 2

different sheets in the same file. When I enter record number in those tabs,

data are collected from db sheet by lookup formula.

My problem
So I have to make 3 more forms. This task is not difficult but it is tedious

and time consuming. I want the forms to look like exactly same as paper one.

My questions
1- What is your best solution to do this work?
2- In order to expedite the form construction task inside Excel, I was

thinking to scan the paper form into excel file, and make it transparent to

see it in the background so I can adjust the cell length and height easily and

fast to construct the form. I am not sure if it is possible or not and if

possible, how can I do the scan transparent to see the cells?

I should add that my forms are not in English so I don't think I can use advantage of Adobe acrobat form solutions.

Will be thankful to have your ideas.

 

[yabi100]

Isn't there anybody to help me out?
Have I done doing something wrong?
Still I am waiting for a reply.

I hope I am asking in the right place. Also this is some how related to Excel

not completely.

My task:
I have 5 paper forms. I have all my database inside an excel table sheet. I

have to fill 5 forms for each record. I have constructed 2 of the forms in 2

different sheets in the same file. When I enter record number in those tabs,

data are collected from db sheet by lookup formula.

My problem
So I have to make 3 more forms. This task is not difficult but it is tedious

and time consuming. I want the forms to look like exactly same as paper one.

My questions
1- What is your best solution to do this work?
2- In order to expedite the form construction task inside Excel, I was

thinking to scan the paper form into excel file, and make it transparent to

see it in the background so I can adjust the cell length and height easily and

fast to construct the form. I am not sure if it is possible or not and if

possible, how can I do the scan transparent to see the cells?

I should add that my forms are not in English so I don't think I can use advantage of Adobe acrobat form solutions.

Will be thankful to have your ideas.

 

[Rmarvin]

If you are using Excel 2010 you can make the form the worksheet background. In the top ribbon select Page Layout, then select Background. In the pop-up menu select the image you want to use, then select Open. If the file is not in a image format, .e.g. PNG, JGP, JPEG, GIF, then convert it to an image before making it the background. Depending on the form format i can walk you through converting it if needed.

 

[yabi100]

If you are using Excel 2010 you can make the form the worksheet background. In the top ribbon select Page Layout, then select Background. In the pop-up menu select the image you want to use, then select Open. If the file is not in a image format, .e.g. PNG, JGP, JPEG, GIF, then convert it to an image before making it the background. Depending on the form format i can walk you through converting it if needed.

Dear Rmarvin
Thanks for your reply. I don't have Excel 2010. I have to ask friends to see if they have and then try on their laptops.
In Excel 2003 I can Insert an image using: Insert/Picture/FromFile
Here my problem is that I can't see cells and am not able to manipulate cell length and height. All sheet is covered with the inserted image file. Even "send to back" command doesn't work here to send the image to back and shows the cells. By background, I mean it sits on the backside of the image so that I edit the cells (change dimension and input data).
Is my question and request clear and understandable?

 

[Rmarvin]

yes your request is clear. Let me look into Excel 2003 and get back to you.

 

[shyy]

You can import the form in the data form and use a textbox to display the specific column data

 

[Rmarvin]

Here's how to add a background, and remove it, in Excel 2003. Google can do wonders:
• Click "Format" on the toolbar and point to "Sheet." Click on "Background." The "Sheet Background" dialog box will open, typically to the location on your computer that you use as your default for storing graphics.
• Navigate to the picture you want to use as your background. Click on the picture to select it and then click "Insert." The picture will replicate itself throughout your worksheet.
• Remove your background picture by clicking on the tab of the worksheet that has a background, clicking "Format" on the "Tools" menu, pointing to "Sheet" and clicking "Delete Background.

Source: How to add a background to ms excel worksheet in excel 2003? - Yahoo! Answers India

 

[yabi100]

Here's how to add a background, and remove it, in Excel 2003. Google can do wonders:
• Click "Format" on the toolbar and point to "Sheet." Click on "Background." The "Sheet Background" dialog box will open, typically to the location on your computer that you use as your default for storing graphics.
• Navigate to the picture you want to use as your background. Click on the picture to select it and then click "Insert." The picture will replicate itself throughout your worksheet.
• Remove your background picture by clicking on the tab of the worksheet that has a background, clicking "Format" on the "Tools" menu, pointing to "Sheet" and clicking "Delete Background.

Source: How to add a background to ms excel worksheet in excel 2003? - Yahoo! Answers India

Yes. That is it exactly what I was looking for.
Thanks a lot. You are great. Isn't there any marking scheme in this forum?

 

[shyy]

When you try to print, do you still see the form?

 

[Rmarvin]

No the background will not print with the sheet.