Can a protected form be set to allow users to edit their text in the form fields--bold, size, etc.--without affecting the linked fields (so that those linked remain in default document font without taking on the "master" field's attributes)? And can those linked fields be set to their own default style?

Some time ago, I created a form for co-workers to use when writing proposals for our clients. The first page has a few fields (Client Name, Date, etc.) which are linked to other fields in the document which auto-populate when the "master" ones are updated. I would like users to be able to format any of the editable fields without affecting the linked auto-populate fields, as well as add bulleted lists if they choose.

I did sort of set a style to a linked field, but it doesn't work quite right. Entering the client's company name on page 1 populates it to the last page, where I tried to set the field to Bold... but it only bolds the first word of the company name.

Originally, my fields were set to Plain Text, but even after switching to Rich Text Content Control, having the form protection on doesn't allow format editing. Trying to change formatting restrictions asks me if I want to remove formatting or styles which aren't allowed, which destroys the entire format.

Is there any likelihood of me being able to fix this form, or can I do these things I want to by starting from scratch?

I hope I explained well... I'm having a hard time getting a straight answer from the Office tutorials.

Just as a rule of thumb, the Word Tutorials are not designed for advanced document management. Years ago I played with issues like yours but before I resolved them I ended up at a Barnes and Noble store to purchase a M/S Word book which did a much better job then the bare bones tutorials.

I would suggest that idea to you.