Mangled formatting with bookmark cross-referencing

Question

I have an odd problem with Word 2016. I have a document that includes cross-references to bookmarks that include headings. The result is updating the cross-reference results in mangled formatting. Random strings appear with the heading style.

Here's an example of the original bookmarked content.

Here's what happens with the cross-reference:

To make it weirder, if I close and reopen the document, the pattern of corruption changes completely. Example, here's what happens when I close and reopen this particular doc:

Answer 1

Try this first: Press Alt+F9 to reveal field codes. If the \* CHARFORMAT or \* MERGEFORMAT switch is present in the cross-reference (REF) field, delete it and update the field.

Also, do you see this in any document or just with a particular one?

Answer 2

I'd be interested in having a look at an example document. You can upload it to (say) OneDrive or Dropbox, make the document public and post a link here.

Answer 3

Just did a complete repair now. No change.

Answer 4

No change, and the reference is just {REF test}. The name of the bookmark is "test".

It happens with multiple documents. I made a little demo of it in a small Word doc. I'm happen to share that if that helps.

Answer 5

Hi Jeffrey,

To help you with your concern about the unusual problem with your Word 2016, kindly use the the repair tool for Office applications. To begin using this helpful tool, please click the link provided below.

Repair an Office application.

Let us know how it goes.

Regards.