# Converting TextFields to ApplicationFields > TX Text Control 14.0 added MS Word-compatible ApplicationFields, but existing templates using the legacy TextFields collection required manual migration. This downloadable utility automatically replaces TextFields with ApplicationFields at the same positions without rebuilding templates. - **Author:** Bjoern Meyer - **Published:** 2009-10-02 - **Modified:** 2026-07-17 - **Description:** TX Text Control 14.0 added MS Word-compatible ApplicationFields, but existing templates using the legacy TextFields collection required manual migration. This downloadable utility automatically replaces TextFields with ApplicationFields at the same positions without rebuilding templates. - **2 min read** (315 words) - **Tags:** - Sample - **Web URL:** https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2009/10/02/converting-textfields-to-applicationfields/ - **LLMs URL:** https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2009/10/02/converting-textfields-to-applicationfields/llms.txt - **LLMs-Full URL:** https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2009/10/02/converting-textfields-to-applicationfields/llms-full.txt --- Very early, TX Text Control already supported merge fields to merge database content into a template to create print-ready documents. These fields were accessible through the [TextFields](https://docs.textcontrol.com/textcontrol/windows-forms/ref.txtextcontrol.textfieldcollection.class.htm) collection and were not compatible to MS Word formats like DOCX, DOC or RTF. [Since version 14.0](https://docs.textcontrol.com/textcontrol/windows-forms/whatsnew.1400.htm), TX Text Control supports importing and exporting MS Word fields contained in such documents. Since then many developers changed the field handling to the new MS Word compatible [ApplicationFields](https://docs.textcontrol.com/textcontrol/windows-forms/ref.txtextcontrol.applicationfield.class.htm). These fields are 100% compatible to MS Word and cover most commonly used fields like the *MERGEFIELD*, *FORMTEXT* or *DATE* field. The only drawback with this is that the old templates are not longer usable. Contained *TextFields* are not accessible through the *ApplicationFields* collection. We decided not to mix these fields, but to keep them completely separated in different classes and collections. That guarantees full backwards compatibility. I received many requests regarding this dilemma. It is not a good idea to create all templates again from scratch or to replace the fields manually. Therefore, I created a small application that converts such templates automatically. This little project simply removes the TextFields and inserts ApplicationFields at the same position. You can select a source folder that contains your original templates and a destination folder where these converted documents should be exported to. It should just give you an idea of how to convert such templates. Feel free to add your own code to the project to handle for example special field properties that should be converted as well. At least TX Text Control .NET for Windows Forms 15.0 and Visual Studio 2008 is required to load this project. [Download the project](https://s1-www.textcontrol.com/assets/dist/blog/2009/10/02/a/assets/tx_convert_native_to_app.zip) --- ## About Bjoern Meyer As CEO, Bjoern is the visionary behind our strategic direction and business development, bridging the gap between our customers and engineering teams. His deep passion for coding and web technologies drives the creation of innovative products. If you're at a tech conference, be sure to stop by our booth - you'll most likely meet Bjoern in person. With an advanced graduate degree (Dipl. Inf.) in Computer Science, specializing in AI, from the University of Bremen, Bjoern brings significant expertise to his role. In his spare time, Bjoern enjoys running, paragliding, mountain biking, and playing the piano. - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/bjoernmeyer/) - [X](https://x.com/txbjoern) - [GitHub](https://github.com/bjoerntx) --- ## Related Posts - [Create a Table of Contents in Windows Forms using C#](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2023/01/23/create-toc-in-windows-forms/llms.txt) - [Official TX Text Control .NET Sample Applications Are Now Hosted on GitHub](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2023/01/08/official-tx-text-control-net-sample-applications-are-now-hosted-on-github/llms.txt) - [Detect Toggle Button Changes Using a MutationObserver](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2021/11/11/detect-toggle-button-changes-using-a-mutationobserver/llms.txt) - [Two Ways to Restart Numbered Lists in TX Text Control](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2021/11/03/two-ways-to-restart-numbered-lists/llms.txt) - [Zoom Tricks: Disabling CTRL + MOUSE WHEEL and More](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2020/12/09/zoom-tricks-disabling-ctrl-mouse-wheel-and-more/llms.txt) - [AutoCorrect Using TX Text Control and TX Spell .NET](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2017/08/17/autocorrect-using-tx-text-control-and-tx-spell-net/llms.txt) - [Creating Conference Badges with Text Control Reporting](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2017/02/14/creating-conference-badges-with-text-control-reporting/llms.txt) - [Using Custom Document Properties to Store Additional Document Information](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2017/02/09/using-custom-document-properties-to-store-additional-document-information/llms.txt) - [Use SubTextParts to Protect Document Parts](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2015/12/29/use-subtextparts-to-protect-document-parts/llms.txt) - [Reporting: Styling the DocumentViewer for ASP.NET](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2015/06/14/reporting-styling-the-documentviewer-for-aspnet/llms.txt) - [Reporting: Merging MS Word Documents with DocVariables](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2015/06/10/reporting-merging-ms-word-documents-with-docvariables/llms.txt) - [TextControl.Web: Determine when a Document Has Been Completely Loaded](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2015/06/09/textcontrolweb-determine-when-a-document-has-been-completely-loaded/llms.txt) - [TextControl.Web: Adding Custom Ribbon Tabs](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2015/05/29/textcontrolweb-adding-custom-ribbon-tabs/llms.txt) - [Building a Touch-enabled Button Bar with Javascript](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2015/05/27/building-a-touch-enabled-button-bar-with-javascript/llms.txt) - [TextControl.Web: Inserting Merge Fields Using Javascript](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2015/05/16/textcontrolweb-inserting-merge-fields-using-javascript/llms.txt) - [MailMerge: Merge Hyperlinks into Merge Fields](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2015/05/15/mailmerge-merge-hyperlinks-into-merge-fields/llms.txt) - [Mail Merge: Suppress Lines with Empty Merge Fields](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2014/08/01/mail-merge-suppress-lines-with-empty-merge-fields/llms.txt) - [Interactive Spelling Suggestions Using TX Spell .NET](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2014/07/30/interactive-spelling-suggestions-using-tx-spell-net/llms.txt) - [Alternate Row Colors Using NEXT Fields](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2013/12/30/alternate-row-colors-using-next-fields/llms.txt) - [Loading Dictionaries Dynamically in TX Spell .NET](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2013/12/20/loading-dictionaries-dynamically-in-tx-spell-net/llms.txt) - [Restart the Page Numbering Fields Per Section](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2013/11/08/restart-the-page-numbering-fields-per-section/llms.txt) - [TX Barcode .NET: Test the Barcode Engine Live!](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2013/07/10/tx-barcode-net-test-the-barcode-engine-live/llms.txt) - [SD Times .NET Component Buyers Guide 2013: Simplify Report Creation](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2013/06/06/sd-times-net-component-buyers-guide-2013-simplify-report-creation/llms.txt) - [Inserting MS Word Compatible Page Number Fields](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2013/05/30/inserting-ms-word-compatible-page-number-fields/llms.txt) - [MailMerge: Creating Shipping Labels Using TX Text Control](https://www.textcontrol.com/blog/2012/11/23/mailmerge-creating-shipping-labels-using-tx-text-control/llms.txt)