Inserting Fields

Word provides a powerful capability to insert special information in your documents through the use of fields. There are a number of fields that are available within Word and are covered in other issues of WordTips. Inserting a field in your document is very easy; you can use the following methods:

• If you are using a version of Word prior to Word 2007, choose the Field option from the Insert menu; then choose the field name from the list of fields presented. When you click your mouse on OK, the field you requested is inserted in your document.
• If you are using Word 2007, display the Insert tab of the ribbon. In the Text group, click Quick Parts and then choose Field. From the resulting dialog box select the field name from those available. When you click your mouse on OK, the field you requested is inserted in your document.
• Press Ctrl+F9. (This is the easiest method, regardless of your version of Word.)

Any of these methods will work, but the last method only inserts a pair of field brackets—you must enter the information and keywords for the actual field. The other two methods provides a more user-friendly method of inserting fields.

While these methods work fine for inserting single fields, both of them won't work properly if you want to insert a field within a field. To nest fields (put one field inside another), you must use the Ctrl+F9 shortcut key to enter the field within the other field.