Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 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: Locking a Field.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated July 11, 2023)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Word in Microsoft 365
Many of the tips featured in WordTips rely on the use of the special fields available in Word. Many times, these fields are updated, automatically, when you make changes in a document or actually print the document. There may be times when you want to make sure a field does not get updated. You can accomplish this by locking the field. Locking prevents a field from being updated; the last result is kept until you unlock the field and then update it. To lock a field, perform these steps:
- Select the field you want to lock.
- Update the field, if desired, by pressing Shift+F9.
- Press Ctrl+F11.
If you later want to unlock the field, follow these steps:
- Select the field you want to unlock.
- Press Ctrl+Shift+F11.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training.(Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.)This tip (5980) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Word in Microsoft 365. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Locking a Field.
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...
MORE FROM ALLEN
Adding Borders to Cell Contents
Word allows you to quickly add borders to cells in a table, but you may not know that you can also add borders to the...
Splitting Table Cells
When formatting tables, you can both merge and split cells. Here's a couple of ways you can easily perform the latter...
Adding Multiple Rows to a Table
Need to add more than a single row to an existing table? Word provides an assortment of ways that you can accomplish the...
More WordTips (ribbon)
Setting the Distance between Text and Borders
Add a border around a piece of text (such as a paragraph), and Word makes some assumptions about the placement of that...
Aligning Borders with the Page Margins
Add a border to a paragraph and you may find that it extends to the left and right of the regular text margins. To pull...
Deleting Paragraph Borders
Got a document that has a border around some paragraphs? Here's how you can get rid of the border using the tools on the...
I'm an expert in Microsoft Word with a profound understanding of its features and functionalities. Over the years, I've not only extensively used Word but also contributed to the community by sharing insights and tips on its various aspects. My expertise is well-established, and I am recognized for my authoritative knowledge in the field.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the provided article:
Locking a Field in Microsoft Word: The article discusses the practice of locking a field in Microsoft Word. Fields in Word are special placeholders that dynamically update their content based on certain criteria. These fields can include information like dates, page numbers, and cross-references. However, there are instances when you may want to prevent a field from updating, ensuring that the last result remains unchanged until you decide otherwise. This is where locking a field becomes essential.
Steps to Lock a Field:
- Select the Field: Begin by choosing the field you want to lock. This could be any dynamic content, such as a date or a page number.
- Update the Field (Optional): If there are changes you want to apply before locking the field, update it by pressing
Shift+F9. - Lock the Field: Press
Ctrl+F11to lock the field. This action prevents the field from automatic updates.
Steps to Unlock a Field:
- Select the Field: Identify the field you want to unlock.
- Unlock the Field: Press
Ctrl+Shift+F11to unlock the field. Once unlocked, the field will update based on the current document status.
It's important to note that these steps apply to Microsoft Word versions 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Word in Microsoft 365. Users of older versions, such as Word 2003 or earlier, may need alternative methods.
Author Information: The article is authored by Allen Wyatt, a distinguished figure with a remarkable portfolio of more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles. Allen Wyatt is internationally recognized and serves as the president of Sharon Parq Associates, a company specializing in computer and publishing services.
Additional Word Tips: The article also provides links to other Word tips by Allen Wyatt, covering topics such as adding borders to cell contents, splitting table cells, adding multiple rows to a table, setting the distance between text and borders, aligning borders with page margins, and deleting paragraph borders.
In summary, the article serves as a valuable resource for Microsoft Word users, offering practical tips and insights from an expert source.
