Find/Replace with a field code

Question

I am trying to replace text with a field code (i.e., field brackets). I cannot seem to find how to do this for Word 2011. In Windows versions of Word, it seems it might be ^d or ^19. There's no option for this in the "Special" character menu in the dialog box.

Anyone have any luck doing this? Is there a page that has a comprehensive list of find/replace special characters for Word 2011?

Answer 1

Answering my own question: copy the field into the clipboard, and select  "clipboard contents" from the "special" menu. Worked for me.

Answer 2

The ^d character is valid for Find but it is generic - basically it translates to "any type of field". It can't be used for Replace because it doesn't specify what type of field to insert. Likewise, you can Find for Graphic, but you can't Replace with Graphic - although you can Replace with a graphic which has been copied to the clipboard:-) IOW, further to the point, if you open the Special list while in the Find what: you'll see a different assortment of items than if you open that list while in the Replace with:.

As you've found, you can specify Clipboard Contents by typing the ^c control characters into the Replace with: box. The same is true for any of the choices that appear in the respective Special list, but the control characters are not actually displayed in the list. Unfortunately, the control characters aren't explicitly listed in Help, either, but you can learn more about Advanced Find & Replace if you go into Word Help on the topics Find and replace text or formatting. Don't overlook the See Also link to Use wildcard characters to find or replace text.

Regards,

Bob J.

Answer 3

Here’s how you do it for Word 2013 onwards –

1.       Go to the location in the text where you first want the variable (Customer Name).

2.      Select “Insert” tab, then “Quick Parts” (Text section of tab), then select “Field”, then the field name “Ask”

3.      It brings up a dialogue box.  Fill in the prompt (the question that will appear when you open the doc) with the question.

4.      The set the Bookmark name, e.g. “CustName”, then OK.

You’ve now created a variable, which will automatically be placed at the location you left your cursor on in the Word text.

Now, to use it in multiple locations –

At each location where you want to use it –

1.      Set the cursor to the location (including space characters so there’s going to be spaces before and after the insertion)

2.      Select “Insert” tab, then “Quick Parts” (Text section of tab), then select “Field”, then the field name “Ref”

3.      It brings up a dialogue box.  Under “Field Properties”, you will see the variable you created (e.g., “CustName”)

4.      Use your cursor to select it, then click “OK”. 

5.      The field will be set in the new location – and get automatically populated with the same variable.

6.      You can do it any number of times.

Hope this helps.