Cross-Reference Removes Superscript Formatting

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated June 4, 2022)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 365


1

Yossi has some text that uses superscripts. He can bookmark that text, but if he creates a cross-reference to that bookmarked text, the cross-reference shows the text without the superscript. (The superscript is there; it just shows as regular, unsuperscripted text.) The MERGEFORMAT and CHARFORMAT switches don't solve the issue.

In this case, you wouldn't want to use either the MERGEFORMAT or CHARFORMAT switches in the cross-reference field. These switches are used to help the field results maintain any formatting that you manually applied to the result. In other words, they have nothing to do with the formatting of your original bookmarked text, which included superscripting.

The solution is to minimize what is in the REF field. Here is an example of the field code that Word would normally insert when you add the cross-reference:

{ REF MyBookmark \h \* MERGEFORMAT }

In order to see your superscripts, you need to remove the MERGEFORMAT switch, like this:

{ REF MyBookmark \h }

With this change in place, update the field and you should see the superscript appear. However, you should understand that removing the switch may also result in any other character formatting in your original (bookmarked) text being carried over to the cross-reference. If this produces a result that disrupts the appearance of your text, the solution is to put the MERGEFORMAT switch back in and, instead, manually format the cross-reference to include the superscript.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (12895) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 365.

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

Understanding Default Insert Date Formatting

Insert a date into Word, and you are presented with a variety of formats you can choose from for that date. The default ...

Discover More

Quick AutoFill Variations

The AutoFill feature can be used for more than just incrementing information into cells. This tip explains how to access ...

Discover More

Declaring Variables

Macros depend on the use of variables to do their work. This tip examines how variables are declared in a macro, using ...

Discover More

Discover the Power of Microsoft Office This beginner-friendly guide reveals the expert tips and strategies you need to skyrocket your productivity and use Office 365 like a pro. Mastering software like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is essential to be more efficient and advance your career. Simple lessons guide you through every step, providing the knowledge you need to get started. Check out Microsoft Office 365 For Beginners today!

More WordTips (ribbon)

Generating Dynamic QR Codes

You can use Word to insert QR codes in your document. Things become just a bit trickier, however, if you want to add a QR ...

Discover More

Counting Fields in a Document

Need to count the number of times a particular field appears in a document? It's easy to do when you apply the techniques ...

Discover More

Inserting a Cross-Reference to an Item in a List

When you create a list using the SEQ field, you may want to create a cross-reference to an item in that field. You can do ...

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 four more than 2?

2022-06-06 07:35:25

Cherith Harrison

What a coincidence. I just encountered this issue for the first time in my (ahem) long career last week and was puzzled (and frustrated) by the superscript removal. , I just manually applied the superscript - now I know!

Thank you!


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.