Share via

Word 2016: My document headings don't display in the Cross-Reference list

Anonymous
2016-11-21T04:48:22+00:00

I have created a document with a number of headings (including Heading 1, Heading 2, Heading 3 etc.). I based these headings on the in-built Word styles.

I have tried to insert a cross-reference in the document to one of these headings, but only a few of the total number of headings in the document display in the Cross-Reference list.

I have created headings and cross-references for years in Word 2007 (and earlier versions) and have never had this problem before. I created these headings in the same way that I have always done.

I am hoping someone might be able to help me with this.

Thank you.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

12 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2016-11-25T01:02:44+00:00

    Thanks Stefan

    This is the bit that has me confused.

    On the Cross-Reference window, when I select 'Heading' in the Reference typefield and 'Heading text' in the Insert reference to field, only some of the headings that I created display (but not all).

    I created all headings in the document in the same way. I'm just not sure why some display and others don't.

    When I was using Word 2007, all my headings displayed in the Cross-Reference list.

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2016-11-21T07:11:53+00:00

    Hi SNDR#,

    In Word , only the built-in headings will appear in the Cross-reference heading list..

    I assume you created some customized heading styles via clicking the arrow in the Style section under Home tab > Create a style, if so, these headings will not appear in Cross-reference heading list.

    Regards,

    James

    7 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2016-11-24T13:38:21+00:00

    Hi SNDR#,

    Have you checked the above? Let me know if you need more assistance.

    Regards,

    James

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2016-11-24T22:50:40+00:00

    Thanks for your help James.

    Do you know whether this is a recent change in Word?

    I have been creating documents with headings using the process you mentioned above (i.e. clicking the arrow in the Style section under the Home tab, then clicking Create a style) for many years and it has always worked.

    Also, just to confuse things, some of the headings that I have created display in the Cross-Reference list and some don't (even though they were all created in exactly the same way).

    I've spoken to another Technical Writer that I work with and she has come up against this same problem too.

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  5. Stefan Blom 323.2K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2016-11-24T23:44:30+00:00

    Any numbered paragraph, including numbered custom headings, will be in the "Numbered item" category (under "Reference type") of the Cross-reference dialog box.

    The "Heading" category, though, only includes paragraphs formatted in Word's built-in heading styles.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments