How to Use Content Controls for Checkbox Responses

When a user selects a checkbox in a form, Smarter Drafter stores that response as either "Yes" or "No." You can use this in your template to insert text conditionally, apply formatting, or trigger logic based on whether the box is ticked. This article explains how to use checkbox responses with content controls in Word.

Instructions

Insert the Checkbox Field

In the Word Add-In, go to the Fields tab.
Locate the checkbox field you’ve added to the form.
Click on the field to insert it into the document.
The field will appear as a green content control showing a value like [Yes] or [No].

Use the Checkbox Value as Inline Text

You can display the value directly in a sentence:
- Example: The customer has agreed to the terms: [Yes].

You can format the output or surround it with punctuation—but avoid placing punctuation inside the green content control.

Use a Conditional Rule to Show or Hide Content

Go to the Rules tab in the Add-In.
Click Add Conditional Rule.
Set the logic to something like:
- Field: "Terms Accepted"
- Condition: “equals”
- Value: “Yes”
Apply the rule around any content that should only appear if the box is checked.

EXAMPLE: Only show a declaration clause if the user has confirmed agreement via checkbox.

Tips for Use

If you just need to display whether a box was checked, use the field as-is.
If your output depends on the checkbox result, use a Conditional Rule to manage the logic cleanly. Always test your logic using the Preview Form feature or by reviewing a live submission. Use descriptive names for each rule so they're easy to manage later.

Common Issues & Solutions

Issue: The content control shows [Yes] or [No], but I want it to insert a sentence instead.
Solution: Wrap the sentence in a Conditional Rule based on the checkbox response.
Issue: I see the checkbox field in my form but can’t find it in the Add-In.
Solution: Make sure the checkbox is not part of a hidden or conditional section of the form.