Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, 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: Converting Field Results to Text.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated September 2, 2023)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 365
Special fields have a great number of uses in Word. You already know that you can use fields to insert everything from the date and time to summary information for a document. There may be times, however, when you don't want to use a field for information.
As an example, let's say that you have a template that includes a field for today's date in it. When you create a document based on the template, today's date appears in the document. You make changes to the document, and then save it to disk. When you later open the document, instead of the original date, it contains the date of when you opened the file.
To get around this, you need to change the field contents to plain text before you save the file. In this instance, you would follow these steps:
That's it. The next time you open the document, the date remains unchanged. You can also use this technique with any other field to convert it to text.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (12248) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 365. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Converting Field Results to Text.
Do More in Less Time! An easy-to-understand guide to the more advanced features available in the Microsoft 365 version of Word. Enhance the quality of your documents and boost productivity in any field with this in-depth resource. Complete your Word-related tasks more efficiently as you unlock lesser-known tools and learn to quickly access the features you need. Check out Microsoft 365 Word For Professionals For Dummies today!
When you are editing a document, you may need to modify where the author placed footnotes relative to surrounding ...
Discover MoreWord can automatically add captions to your figures. You can then reference those captions from within your document. If ...
Discover MoreThe DATE field is one of the most commonly used fields for placing dynamic information in your document. It is helpful to ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2024-03-27 15:22:21
Conor
Are you aware of any way to set up a field so that it automatically converts the value/result to normal text (removes the field, leaves the value/result) after the field is executed (similar to the way a content control can be set to disappear after first use)?
This shortcut tip was very helpful for me, as the template dev, but I can't expect my entire organization to learn this shortcut and do it every time - at that point, the usefulness of the field would be diminished. I'm also in a position where I cannot use VBA or macro-enabled templates, unless there is a way to generate normal (macro-free) .docx files when launched from a macro-enabled template (I'm not sure if this is possible). Essentially, I need all of my template enhancements to vanish without a trace (at least on the front end), so a novice user can still use/edit the file without issue.
Appreciate any insight you have!
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.
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.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, 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:
Comments