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If users have already filled out forms based on your form template (form template: In InfoPath, a file or set of files that defines the data structure, appearance, and behavior of a form.), changing the name of a field (field: An element or attribute in the data source that can contain data. If the field is an element, it can contain attribute fields. Fields store the data that is entered into controls.) or group (group: An element in the data source that can contain fields and other groups. Controls that contain other controls, such as repeating tables and sections, are bound to groups.) can cause data loss in those forms.

In addition, if your form template is based on a sample form, pre-existing XML Schema (XML Schema: A formal specification, written in XML, that defines the structure of an XML document, including element names and rich data types, which elements can appear in combination, and which attributes are available for each element.), database, or Web service, you can only change the names of fields and groups that you have added to the data source (data source: The collection of fields and groups that define and store the data for an InfoPath form. Controls in the form are bound to the fields and groups in the data source.).

1. In design mode, if the Data Source task pane is not visible, click Data Source on the View menu.
2. If your form uses more than one data source, click Main in the Data source list. You cannot change the names of fields or groups in a secondary data source.
3. Double-click the field or group whose name you want to change.
4. On the Data tab in the Field or Group Properties dialog box, type a new name for the field or group in the Name box.

Notes

• Field or group names cannot contain spaces. They must begin with an alphabetic character or underscore ("_"), and they can only contain alphanumeric characters, underscores, hyphens ("-"), and periods (".").
• The information in this topic may not apply if you are working with a form designed using Microsoft Office InfoPath 2003 without the service pack installed.

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