Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, 2024, and Word in Microsoft 365. If you are using an earlier version (Word 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Word, click here: Implementing a Dynamic Document Control Table.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated December 13, 2025)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, 2024, and Word in Microsoft 365
Tim has a "document control" table at the end of a document and the table contains fields that are filled in by a reviewer. (Things like Version Number, Revision Date, etc.) When the information in the table is completed, he wants to access information entered into the table using fields in other areas of the document, such as the footer. He wonders how he can create fields that he can put in a document that will be updated automatically when the information in the "document control" table is changed.
The easiest way to do this is to figure out what information can be provided directly by Word and what information you need to provide manually. For instance, Word provides automatic fields that allow you to reference certain statistics, such as number of pages or last saved date. These types of fields can be placed in as many locations in your document as desired—such as both the document control table and the footer. Just determine which field you want, and then insert that field at the locations desired.
If, however, you want to use information that is not maintained by Word, such as a revision number specific to your company, then you should insert the information in the document control table and then bookmark the information. You can then use a field (REF) to reference the information in the bookmark—your revision number. The REF field can be inserted wherever you need it in the document.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (4298) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, 2024, and Word in Microsoft 365. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Implementing a Dynamic Document Control Table.
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2025-12-13 10:18:23
Gary Wayne Loew
I use field codes extensively in the chapter documents for my book. This explanation is intuitively understandable, but an example within a Work file would be much more explanatory.
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Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, 2024, and Word in Microsoft 365. If you are using an earlier version (Word 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Word, click here:
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