Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. 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: Inserting Fields.

Inserting Fields

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated May 9, 2025)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021

Word provides a powerful capability to insert special information in your documents through the use of fields. There are a number of fields that are available within Word and are covered in other issues of WordTips. Inserting a field in your document is very easy; you can use the following methods:

Display the Insert tab of the ribbon. In the Text group, click Quick Parts and then choose Field. From the resulting dialog box select the field name from those available. When you click your mouse on OK, the field you requested is inserted in your document.
Press Ctrl+F9. (This is the easiest method, regardless of your version of Word.)

Either of these methods will work, but the second method only inserts a pair of field brackets—you must enter the information and keywords for the actual field. The other method provides a more user-friendly method of inserting fields.

While the first method works fine for inserting single fields, it won't work properly if you want to insert a field within a field. To nest fields (put one field inside another), you must use the Ctrl+F9 shortcut key to enter the field within the other field.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (6203) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Inserting Fields.

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. Learn more about Allen...

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What is three minus 3?

2021-11-25 03:44:04

Nizar

Please , I'm using word office professional plus 2019 version 2108 (Build 143320201) for me the ( Field codes) in quick parts for some categories like Eq. category is gray out and not active , Please any help

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