If you are not comfortable with creating forms in your document, and yet need to take user inputs you can use tables instead. All you need to do is create tables with cells containing fixed values and editable values. To do so using Word 2003:

~ Open the document to which restriction needs to be applied.

~ Go to Table/Insert/Table' menu command.

~ Create a table by setting the required number of rows and columns.

~ Next, fill out the details that you want to keep fixed.

~ Next, go to 'View/Toolbars/Forms' to activate the 'Forms' toolbar.

~ Place your cursor on a cell where you want the contents to be editable.

~ Click the Text Form Field' option from the 'Forms' tool bar.

~ Repeat the above steps for all the editable cells.

~ Once done click the 'Protect Form' option from the 'Forms' tool bar. Now no part of your document can be edited except the specified cells.

If you plan to use Word 2007 instead, carry,out the following steps:

~ Open the document.

~ Go to the 'Insert' tab.

~ Click the 'Table' option appearing under the Tables' group of the tab.

~ Click the 'Insert Table' option from the drop-down menu.

~ Create a table by setting the number or rows and columns.

~ Next, fill out the details that you want to keep fixed.

~ Place your cursor on a cell that you want to leave as editable.

~ Go to the 'Developer' tab.

~ Click the 'Legacy Tools' option under the 'Controls' group.

~ Select the 'Text Form Field' option from the drop-down list.

~ Repeat the above steps for all the editable cells.

~ Next, click the 'Office' button and click the 'Word Options' button appearing at the foot of the drop-down list.

~ Click the 'Customize' option from the 'Word Options' dialog box.

~ Select the 'All Commands' option from the 'Choose commands from:' drop-down list.

~ Scroll down and select the 'Lock' command. Click 'Add »' to add it to the 'Quick Access Toolbar'.

~ Click 'OK' to continue.

~ Click the 'Lock' button on the 'Quick Access Toolbar' to secure your table.