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.

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


1

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.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Suppressing a Zero in a Calculated Sum

You can use fields to calculate a sum of values in a table column. Here are two ways you can modify what is displayed by ...

Discover More

Exporting Black and White Charts

Excel's charts are normally created in color, but you can print them in black and white. You may be looking for a way to ...

Discover More

Allowing Passive Voice in Writing

When you have Word do grammar-checking on your document, it typically marks everything it considers wrong with the way ...

Discover More

The First and Last Word on Word! Bestselling For Dummies author Dan Gookin puts his usual fun and friendly candor back to work to show you how to navigate Word 2019. Spend more time working and less time trying to figure it all out! Check out Word 2019 For Dummies today!

More WordTips (ribbon)

Calculating Dates with Fields

Can you calculate dates using fields? Yes, but you probably don't want to except as a learning experience. An easier way ...

Discover More

Inserting a Document's Size

Want to insert the size of your document directly into the document body? You can do so by using one of the dynamic ...

Discover More

Updating Calculated Fields in a Form

When creating a Word form, you use special form fields to collect information from users. You can even perform ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 7 + 3?

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.


This Site

Got a version of Word that uses the ribbon interface (Word 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the menu interface.

Videos
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.