Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here: Displaying Fields.
Many of the tips provided in WordTips rely on the use of fields. The reason for this is simple: Fields allow the easy inclusion of dynamic data within your documents. Normally, Word hides the contents of fields (the "codes" that are intrinsic to the field), replacing them instead with their result, if they are the type of field that yields a result.
If you want to see the contents of your fields, then you can toggle the display so that those contents are visible. You do this by pressing Shift+F9. Any field contents should then be visible, and you can modify those field contents, if desired.
Remember that this shortcut functions as a toggle. When you are through viewing the field contents, just press Shift+F9 again. Word hides the field contents and replaces them with the field results, if any.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (385) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Word (Word 2007 and later) here: Displaying Fields.
Do More in Less Time! Are you ready to harness the full power of Word 2013 to create professional documents? In this comprehensive guide you'll learn the skills and techniques for efficiently building the documents you need for your professional and your personal life. Check out Word 2013 In Depth today!
Accurately and repeatedly referencing information within a document is a common task that needs to be done. One way to ...
Discover MoreIf you enter your address into Word, you can insert that address anywhere you want in a document by using a single field. ...
Discover MoreThe DATE field is one of the most commonly used fields for placing dynamic information in your document. It is helpful to ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2016-07-16 11:25:26
Stephen Gray
In my opinion, MS made a horrible design decision, putting the fields in line with the text. The problems with this are too numerous to list but they show up mostly in long documents. The fields should be displayed on the side,like some markups are.
2016-07-15 17:24:58
David Latham
Hi Allen,
I believe the "Shift+F9" is a typo and should be "Alt+F9", at least that's the my version of Word in Office 2016 works...
Cheers
Got a version of Word that uses the menu interface (Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, or Word 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2017 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here: 
Comments