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: Referencing Fields in Another Document.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated September 22, 2022)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
Tierney is trying to link fields in two different documents. For example, in an application document the applicant enters their name, business, the initial date and several other simple pieces of information. She would like the information in these fields to automatically populate fields in a separate word document.
Perhaps the easiest way to accomplish this task is to use the INCLUDETEXT field. This field allows you to include text from one document in another. In Tierney's case, you begin by making sure that the text you want to include from the application document has bookmarks that define it. For instance, you could define a bookmark that notes the applicant's name (perhaps AppName) and another for the applicant's business (perhaps AppBusiness). If the application document is named Application.doc, then you could use the following field in the other document:
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:
{ INCLUDETEXT "c:\\myfolder\\Application.doc" AppName }
The field indicates the absolute path to the application document, along with the name of the bookmark that defines the text you want to include. (You should replace "myfolder" with the name of the folder in which Application.doc is stored.) Note, as well, that the path to the document must include double backslashes instead of single backslashes.
You can include as many bookmarked fields from the application document in the other documents as you want, just use a separate INCLUDETEXT field for each piece of information you want to reference.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (10802) 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: Referencing Fields in Another Document.
Learning Made Easy! Quickly teach yourself how to format, publish, and share your content using Word 2021 or Microsoft 365. With Step by Step, you set the pace, building and practicing the skills you need, just when you need them! Check out Microsoft Word Step by Step today!
Did you know that Word tries to keep track of who the author of a document is? This information can be easily added to ...
Discover MoreA field can be locked or unlocked, and its condition controls whether it is updated automatically or not. If you want to ...
Discover MoreNeed to count the number of times a particular field appears in a document? It's easy to do when you apply the techniques ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
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.
Visit the WordTips channel on YouTube
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments