StyleRef Field problem with different display languages

Question

I have a document in which I used a StyleRef field in my header section. This is so the header updates automatically when a new chapter heading is changed. The document is supposed to be used as a template by different people.

I've run into the issue in which the field function stops working whenever I open the document on a word that has a different display language. When searching in the community I found this is an issue with the different languages.

However, this file is going to be shared to different people within an organization and it's hard to say which display language they have installed in computers. I can't expect these people to be able to change manually and insert the field code again.

If I change the language on my word, then the document works for that specific language – not other ones.

Is there a way I can make this work on all languages?

I'm using macOS (13.0.1) but have even tried to fix the document on Windows.

Answer 1

Dear Juliana de Filippis,

Good day! Thank you for posting to Microsoft Community. We are happy to help you.

As per your description, please don’t worry, we can work together to narrow down and resolve the situation.

First, please accept my apologize (it’s my humbly request please don't mind) because you meet such a problem.

Based on my research, I found some users prevent the problem by using only the heading level number instead of the full name:

For example { STYLEREF 1 } will work on all systems. try StyleRef 1 that will translate freely between languages.

Besides, I would like to invite community members and MVPs in the forum to share their knowledge and insight on this topic.

Your understanding and patience will be highly appreciated. I hope that you are keeping safe and well!

Sincerely,

Waqas Muhammad