Using the INFO Field

Word maintains a wide variety of information in relation to a document. Most of this information you can see by clicking on the Properties option from the File menu.

Word also provides many different fields that allow you to insert this "maintained information" in your document. For instance, you can use the FILESIZE field to insert the size of your document file, in bytes.

Besides individual fields to insert document information, Word also provides the INFO field that can insert much of the same information. To see what information you can use it to insert, follow these steps if you are using Word 2007:

1. Position your insertion point where you want the field inserted.
2. Make sure the Insert tab of the ribbon is displayed.
3. Click the Quick Parts tool in the Text group. Word displays a number of choices from which you should choose Field. Word displays the Field dialog box. (Click here to see a related figure.)
4. Using the Categories drop-down list, choose Document Information.
5. In the Field Names list, choose Info.

If you are using Word 2002 or Word 2003, the steps are just a bit simpler:

1. Position your insertion point where you want the field inserted.
2. Choose Field from the Insert menu. Word displays the Field dialog box.
3. Using the Categories drop-down list, choose Document Information.
4. In the Field Names list, choose Info.

If you are using Word 97 or Word 2000, follow these steps:

1. Position your insertion point where you want the field inserted.
2. Choose Field from the Insert menu. Word displays the Field dialog box.
3. In the Categories list, choose Document Information.
4. In the Field Names list, choose Info.
5. Click on the Options button. Word displays the Field Options dialog box.
6. Make sure the Info Types tab is selected.

Regardless of which version of Word you are using, notice the wide variety of information you can use the INFO field to insert. Why, however, would you use the INFO field in preference to a different field that could insert the same information?

The answer is that in most cases you wouldn't; the INFO field simply serves as an alternate way of accomplishing the same task. There is one instance where you will find the INFO field indispensable, however. The field allows you to update the contents of some document properties, right within the field. If you use the INFO field with certain info types, you can add another argument to your field and Word will update the property. A simple example is the following:

{ INFO Comments "These are mine" }

This field results in the Comments document property being updated to "These are mine." You can use the INFO field to update any of the following document properties (info types): Author, Comments, Keywords, Subject, and Title.