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Word 2007: Make Updating Fields Easier

September 15th, 2008 | by Loren |

If you use page numbering or have the current date insert automatically, you are using fields. Many Word users rely on manually inserting fields to automate their documents, and use fields to insert the file name and path, the total number of pages, bibliographies, table of contents or indexes, or have Word show the current page heading in the footer.

The big annoyance with using fields is that they may not update immediately. Word will update a field when opening a file or you can manually update a field by selecting it and pushing F9.

I think the easiest way to get fields to update is to have it happen when you use Print Preview or Print, but you first need to change a Word Option to tell it to update then. In the Office button, click Word Options, then click the Display category in the left pane. Under Printing options, check the box by Update fields before printing. Now to update all the fields in a document, click Print Preview and all fields will update.



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  1. 9 Responses to “Word 2007: Make Updating Fields Easier”

  2. By SM on Dec 11, 2009 | Reply

    Thanks for the info though. I use a lot of form documents and was having to go in and manually update the fields every time.

  3. By SM on Dec 11, 2009 | Reply

    So you have to do a print preview just to update the path and filename? Well that’s just stupid. Even WordPerfect updates it automatically when you “Save As” or otherwise change the name or location of a document. I don’t understand how or why Microsoft omitted such an essential feature.

  4. By Veda Johnson on Jul 23, 2009 | Reply

    I just want the feautre to give me a choice not to type the entire date and to automatically complete or give me a choice after I type the first four letters.

  5. By Martha on Jul 13, 2009 | Reply

    When using track changes for a revision on a document and every place in the document a Figure number or Table number is referenced it adds a bar. Is there a way to break the cross reference link other than F9.

    Thanks

  6. By Loren on Jun 16, 2009 | Reply

    Lisa, will it update the file name when you print preview the document?

  7. By Lisa on Jun 16, 2009 | Reply

    I too am having difficulty getting filename and path fields to update automatically – even when I close and reopen document it does not automatically update – and yes I have unlocked the field. I also have it set to change when I print…but shouldn’t it change as soon as you rename a document? The old Word did this…

  8. By Brian Sutherland on Apr 2, 2009 | Reply

    Microsoft have dismantled a pretty good Office Word 2003 and developed a completely unproductive mess in 2007. I have uninstalled and gone back to 2003. there is more to life than reinventing the wheel

  9. By Loren on Oct 10, 2008 | Reply

    Good Morning, Marnee. I don’t know if this will help, but Word 2007 uses all the same fields and field options as Word 2003. Microsoft has an online index of the Word 2003 Field Types and Switches. Hopefully you can find what you are looking for there.
    Let me know if that helps, or if you are looking for something else.

  10. By Marnee Hathaway on Oct 10, 2008 | Reply

    I am having absolutely no luck finding any information about the Field options in the Field (Insert > Quick Parts > Field). Searching Microsoft.com and the book “2007 Microsoft Office System” have yielded no info. Do you have any idea where I might some detailed information? Thank you.

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