Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, and 2013. 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: Updating Fields in Locked Forms.
If you are creating a form in Word, it is possible to use two types of fields in the form: regular fields and form fields. Form fields, and how they are updated, are covered in other issues of WordTips. If you are creating a form that utilizes other types of fields that must be periodically updated, it can be frustrating to do so. Why? Because Word doesn't always update regular fields as you are filling in a locked form.
Unfortunately, the only way to update such fields is either to print the document (which normally forces all fields to be updated) or to force updates through the use of a macro. If the latter is the desired course, the macro must accomplish the following:
This is a relatively easy task to do using VBA. You can use a macro such as the following:
Sub UpdateFields() Dim OneStory as Range Dim OneField as Field ActiveDocument.Unprotect Password:="YourPassword" For Each OneStory In ActiveDocument.StoryRanges For Each OneField in Stories.Fields OneField.Update Next OneField Next OneStory ActiveDocument.Protect Type:=wdAllowOnlyFormFields, _ NoReset:=True, Password:="YourPassword" End Sub
To ensure this macro works for you, you'll want to make sure that you change the verbiage "YourPassword" (two instances) to whatever the password is for your document. If your document doesn't use a password, simply delete the Password parameter in both the Unprotect and Protect methods.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (8258) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, and 2013. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Updating Fields in Locked Forms.
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!
Word keeps track of each time you print your document, and you can automatically insert the last printing date anywhere ...
Discover MoreWhen creating a Word form, you use special form fields to collect information from users. You can even perform ...
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 MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2016-05-20 01:17:39
Jason Young
I have done as recommended in this article, but it says Object Required when it gets to the line OneField.Update!!
2016-05-20 00:59:51
how do I do this when the field is in the header and footer?
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.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2019 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, and 2013. 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: 
Comments