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Display Fields Codes is activated for hyperlinks during document review

Simard, Christine 20 Reputation points
2025-11-17T16:15:19.2733333+00:00

Hi all!

While reviewing a document, the "Next change " button stops at the next hyperlink. The hyperlink is then displayed as a field code and treated as a "change".

Pressing Alt + F9 twice does revert the display to the hyperlink. But using the "Next change " button reactivates the display as field code for the following hperlink. So I am caught in a loop.

The problem 1) does manifect itself when I start Word in safe mode and 2) the option "Show field codes instead of their values" is not activated.

Please help! The document contains many hyperlinks...

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For education | Windows
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Answer accepted by question author

Hendrix-C 17,580 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
2025-11-17T21:05:50.6733333+00:00

Hi @Simard, Christine,

Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Q&A forum.

According to your concern, I've created a test file, and the issue does happen and make me caught in a loop when going to the next hyperlink. However, it only happens with hyperlink that having changes, not in texts that I added hyperlink later when enabling Track Changes.

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This behavior is because of Word built-in fields handling nature that it still stores hyperlinks as fields. Therefore, when Track Changes is enabled, Word sees the hyperlink fields as a change even if the hyperlink text hasn't changed.

To avoid this behavior, there are two options I highly suggest you should consider trying:

  • Using Reviewing Pane instead of the Next Change button. With this you can still navigate changes without triggering the field code appears.

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  • Lock field display by pressing Ctrl + Shift + F9 to convert fields to plain text. However, please only do this on a copy of the document for review purposes since this will remove all hyperlinks at once.

I hope the information provided proves useful. Please proceed with the outlined steps and let me know whether they resolve the issue. If not, I’ll be glad to continue working with you to find a solution.   

Thank you for your patience and understanding throughout this process. Should you have any questions or need further assistance, please feel free share them in the comments on this post so I can continue to support you.   

I look forward to hearing from you.

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Answer recommended by moderator

Stefan Blom 342.4K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
2025-11-17T21:22:19.9066667+00:00

In Word, hyperlinks are fields and they will be tracked as they are updated. (F9, or Fn+F9, updates all fields in the selection.) Since hyperlinks are pointing to a target, updating them won't change the actual appearance of the hyperlink text, though.

How you see tracked changes in your document will depend on your Track Changes Options (especially the Advanced Track Changes Options dialog box).

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