Cross-Referencing to Line Numbers

Summary: Word provides no way to insert a cross-reference that returns a line number. This tip presents one possible workaround, using SEQ fields and bookmarks, but that would only be viable for small amounts of text. (This tip works with Microsoft Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, and Word 2003.)

Michael asked if there was a way to create a cross-reference to a specific line number in a document. He wanted the cross reference to be something like "see line 42," where line 42 contains the item he wants cross-referenced.

Word doesn't have a way to generate cross references to line numbers. The only way you could work around this limitation is to "fake" your line numbers. In other words, for a limited number of lines you manually insert numbers at the beginning of each line. These numbers could be created with SEQ fields, and you could bookmark each of the fields. You could then create a cross-reference to the bookmarks, and Word would insert the desired cross-reference.

Tip #281 applies to Microsoft Word versions: 97 | 2000 | 2002 | 2003

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Cross-Referencing to Line Numbers