Bibliography does not update/refresh

Question

For some reason, Word no longer updates the bibliography/reference section. Deleted references continue to appear in the Bibliography section. Here is what happened.

Say there was reference X in the text and which correctly appeared in the Bibliography section. Then I changed my mind and deleted/removed reference X from the text. However, despite updating the Bibliography section, reference X continues to be on the list.

Then I tried to eliminate it from the source manager. Reference X is still in the "current list" with the check mark, which prevents one from deleting it from that list either.

Then I deleted it from the "Master list", but it remains in the "current list."

Then I tried to update the whole text (ctrl A + F9), but it didn't change anything.

Then I tried to eliminate completely the Bibliography section and re-insert it again. But .... nothing.

At this point, I have exhausted my ideas on what to do.

Does anyone know what is going on and how this issue can be fixed?

Answer 1

Now I see what the issue is. When someone deletes text with citations in the tracking mode, it keeps it visible in the reviewing pane, thereby not deleting the citations from the current list, and the Bibliography remains unaffected. One can update the Bibliography only once all changes are accepted. In hindsight, it is obvious... I should have thought of this. But I suggest that Word implements a function that shifts in the Bibliography section the deleted citations into the reviewing pane as well. Otherwise, it looks like the update doesn't work when it does. Best.

Answer 2

Glad that you've been able to detect the root cause.

Answer 3

Hi Marco_6544, I'm Femi and I'd be happy to help you with your question. Apologies for the challenges experienced. Kindly attempt any of these three alternative methods of updating the bibliography: Right-click on any entry in the bibliography, and click the Update Field item in the menu. Left-click on any entry in the bibliography, and press the F9 function key (on some laptops you must press the Fn key along with the F9 key). Press Alt+F11 (or Alt+Fn+F11) to open the macro editor, and then press Ctrl+G to open the Immediate window in the bottom right area of the editor. Type or paste the following line in the Immediate window and press the Enter key: ActiveDocument.Fields.Update Reference: https://answers.microsoft.com/thread/b7c4594b-2d4e-48db-bc9b-75e3d2ee65d9

Hope this helps!

Best Regards, Femi