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cross references don't automatically update

The tooltip for Cross References (Word 2007 - Ribbon, References) says that Cross References get automatically updated if the content is moved to another location, but this does not happen.

I create a Cross Reference in document with Multi-level numbering.  If I insert a new paragraph that causes the reference target to get a different number, the Cross Reference does not update automatically.  I have to right click on each cross reference individually and select Update Field.

Why don't these cross references update automatically as the tooltip text says they will?

 

Bruce Sanderson
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You're welcome. It's too bad the ScreenTip doesn't deliver as promised. I'd love it if Word would automatically updated fields.

Should you forget the F9 option to update fields (you can use any method to select the document) you can also set Print Preview to force the update. Click the Office Button, and then click Word Options. On the Display tab, select Update fields before printing.

Note Print Preview also uses this option even though it indicates it's for printing. Then when you want to update, just switch to Print Preview. It's also a good option to turn on if you're printing/PDFing your document just in case you forget to update the fields.

~Beth Melton Microsoft Office MVP
~Beth Melton
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Blog: http://bethmelton.blog/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RealGeekGirl

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Because the tooltip is wrong. I think the person who wrote the tooltip has a slightly flawed definition of "automatically". I think they were trying to say you don't need to retype the numbers and that Word will fix them for you. However, as you noted, it requires user intervention for them to actually update.

What I do is let the updates go until I'm finished editing and then update the document by pressing Ctrl + A (to select all) and then F9 (to update the fields.)

~Beth Melton Microsoft Office MVP
~Beth Melton
____________________________
Blog: http://bethmelton.blog/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RealGeekGirl

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Last updated April 30, 2024 Views 2,393 Applies to: