Automatically Adding Captions

Captions are often used in magazine and book publishing around specific items, such as figures or tables. For instance, you may want to include a caption for all your tables that says "Table" and then a number for the table, as in "Table 3." Word can automate this task for you by adding captions whenever you insert a table or some other object in your document.

To configure Word so it automatically adds captions, follow these steps:

1. Display the Caption dialog box. (In versions of Word prior to Word 2007, click Insert | Caption. In Word 2007 display the References tab of the ribbon and then click the Insert Caption tool in the Captions group.)
2. Click on the AutoCaption button. Word displays the AutoCaption dialog box. (Click here to see a related figure.)
3. Search through the list of objects, placing a checkmark beside the one with which you want Word to automatically use captions. For instance, choose Microsoft Word Table if you want a caption associated with your tables.
4. Using the Use Label drop-down list, specify the word you want to appear at the beginning of the caption.
5. Using the Position drop-down list, specify where you want the caption to appear in relation to the object.
6. Click on OK.