Globally change ref field to preserve formatting

[kathyb0527]

Hi All,
I am writing reports in Word 2010 and use a lot of cross-references to Tables. Generally, I insert cross reference anytime I need to link to a table. Is there a way to always have preserve formatting during updates checked instead of having to go in each time and edit the field? Each document is unique and I create multiple documents a day. Thank you for your advice.

[gmayor]

What exactly is the formatting issue that you are trying to overcome? On the face of it you need to add a charformat switch to your ref field (in place of the mergeformat switch that may be present). This will preserve the format applied to the field itself.

[kathyb0527]

I'm just changing the font to blue. The problem comes if I need to update the references, I have to go back in and replace the formatting. I do a search and replace for the font, but it doesn't always take and I didn't know if there was a global setting to preserve the formatting.

Thanks!

[gmayor]

There is no global setting, but you can use the charformat field switch to preserve the font applied to (the whole of) the field.. - see http://www.gmayor.com/formatting_word_fields.htm

[gmayor]

Your post got me thinking and so I have added a page to my web site which you might find helpful - http://www.gmayor.com/change_word_field_switch.html

[kathyb0527]

That is great! Thank you for this. I was thinking of creating a macro to do this since I am not the only one that creates these documents. You just saved me a LOT of time.