Question

Bookmarks and Stuff...

Asked by: AzraSound

Okay, I never work with Word, so I may be missing something obvious.  I am creating a template where at the top I have a text form field that should update a whole host of bookmarks in the document after something is typed in.  I create the text form field, and typed in ClientName under Bookmark, and ensured Fill-in Enabled was checked.  Then I inserted my bookmarks which refer to that text form field.  So if I view the field codes it says REF ClientName \* MERGEFORMAT.  Now when I'm editing my template and I protect it, it all works fine.  However, when I create a new document from the template, after typing in the text form field, it doesnt update the rest of the document.  What am I missing?

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Asked On
2005-11-04 at 07:54:36ID21619493
Tags

word

,

bookmark

,

fields

Topic

Microsoft Word

Participating Experts
2
Points
250
Comments
9

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Answers

 

by: dopyiiiPosted on 2005-11-04 at 08:33:21ID: 15225596

Well, the problem is that fields won't update in a protected document (don't ask me why they thought that was a good idea).  Here's what you can do:

1. make sure that your field entry box (whatever it is) has a bookmark assigned to it (probably already doen)
2. make sure the "calculate on exit" box is checked
3. Insert your reference field referencing that bookmark (probably already done)

Also, here's the basic process explained in Microsoft-ease:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=291474

There are macros out there that can do this too, but if the calculate on exit works, no need to bloat your document with additional macros.

Does that work for you?

 

by: AzraSoundPosted on 2005-11-04 at 09:05:06ID: 15225906

Yeah I tried checking that box too, and it still didn't work.  Then I even tried using the macro linked to in that article and specifying to run it on Exit, and it still didn't work.  I use Word 2000...is that an issue?

 

by: AzraSoundPosted on 2005-11-04 at 09:20:51ID: 15226043

I think I'm showing my lack of experience working with Word here.  It does work ok, as long as you tab out of the text field.  If you just click out of it, or hit an arrow key to get out of it, it won't update.  Is this a common problem?  Is there a workaround?

 

by: dopyiiiPosted on 2005-11-04 at 09:35:55ID: 15226177

I'm using Word 2003 and it works just fine as long as I have the Calculate on Exit checked in all of my edit boxes.  I have been able to do this in a new blank document and a new document from a template (like your setup).  So, we're just missing something simple.

Now, to insert your reference, do you use Insert > Bookmark, or are you inserting a ref field (Insert > Field > Ref, giving bookmark's name)?  You'll want to use the Ref field as the Insert > Bookmark actually tags text as a bookmark (opposite of what you think it would do).  The other alternative to explicitly using the field (insert > field) is to have Word put the field in for you: Insert > Reference > Cross Reference, identifying the existing bookmark.



 

by: AzraSoundPosted on 2005-11-04 at 09:41:57ID: 15226220

To be honest, I don't remember how I inserted the reference.  I remember I created one, and then just copied and pasted it everywhere I needed it.  If I choose to show the field codes, though, it shows the REF ClientName \* MERGEFORMAT which is what it should show, isnt it?

Well, I actually just did it the other way, Insert -> Field -> Ref and now the field code just shows REF ClientName.  However, it had the same problem in the new document.  I had to hit TAB to get it to update.  At any rate, I'll leave this open for awhile...maybe someone can see what's going on.  Thanks for your help thus far.

 

by: DreamboatPosted on 2005-11-04 at 19:03:19ID: 15229534

Azra: First, you are SUCH a liar!! You HAVE worked in Word before 'cause I helped you a couple of years ago, LOL. :)

Check out a couple of articles that may help you (some is probably duplicate, but hopefully easier to understand). To learn these things, first try in a new document so we know it's not something to do with your Word:
http://www.officearticles.com/word/create_a_reference_to_a_bookmark_in_microsoft_word.htm

Then, learn how to update fields and how fields in the header or footer WILL NOT update even using Calculate on Exit (which sucks):
http://www.officearticles.com/word/updating_fields_in_microsoft_word.htm

Then, check out the macro by our own Malcolm, which seems to work very well:
http://vbaexpress.com/kb/getarticle.php?kb_id=108

Or perhaps you really need THIS macro, which specifically updates Headers and Footers fields:
http://vbaexpress.com/kb/getarticle.php?kb_id=459

I did not test the macros to compare how they work. I just used Malcolm's recently in a project, and it's great, but I did not have fields in the headers and footers.

:)

 

by: AzraSoundPosted on 2005-11-09 at 06:40:29ID: 15256344

Well, I didn't have any in a header or footer, but I still suffer from the problem whereby you must tab out of the entry field in order for the reference fields to update.  Oh well, it's not the end of the world....


P.S.  Dreamboat, you're dreaming...I've never worked in Word before    ;-)

 

by: DreamboatPosted on 2005-11-09 at 06:42:16ID: 15256361

LOL. WHO WROTE THAT BOOK THEN!!??

Aren't you a programming kinda guy? Don't you realize an event must occur for something to happen? Gotta tab. :)

 

by: AzraSoundPosted on 2005-11-09 at 07:01:59ID: 15256566

Ummm, my kid wrote it as I dictated....yeah, that's what happened.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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