Formatting Issues

Fix Word Cross-References Losing Bold Formatting in Long Names

Maira Mehtab Sep 21, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is trying to maintain bold text formatting in cross-references for long bookmarked customer names within a document template.

Product: Microsoft Word (Microsoft 365 for enterprise)
Device & OS: PC
Scenario: Using bookmarked text to populate cross-references throughout a document template.
Observed behavior: When the bookmarked name contains more than two words, only the first two words remain bold in the cross-references, while the rest of the words lose their bold formatting.

Before you start

Locate the exact bookmark in your document template that is causing the formatting loss so you can apply styling directly to the source text.

Solution 1Recommended

Apply a Character Style to the Bookmarked Text

Creating and applying a specific character style to your bookmarked text ensures that the formatting, including bold text, carries over to all cross-references accurately.

When you use direct formatting (like clicking the Bold button on the ribbon) on a bookmark, the word processor sometimes struggles to replicate it across multi-word cross-references. Using a dedicated character style forces the application to respect the formatting rules entirely.

Create a New Character Style

Open the Styles pane by pressing Alt + Ctrl + Shift + S. Click the 'New Style' button at the bottom of the pane. Name the style (e.g., 'BoldCrossReference') and change the 'Style type' dropdown to 'Character'. Apply Bold formatting and click OK.

Apply the Style to the Bookmark

Navigate to the original bookmarked text in your document. Select the entire multi-word name, then click on your newly created character style in the Styles pane to apply it.

Update the Cross-References

Press Ctrl + A to select the entire document, then press the F9 key to update all fields. The cross-references should now reflect the full bold formatting across all words.

Formatting Retained: Character styles are much more robust than direct formatting and will reliably keep your template's cross-references styled correctly.

Seamless Document Editing

Manage Bookmarks and Cross-References in WPS Writer

WPS Writer offers a highly compatible and lightweight environment to build complex document templates, manage bookmarks, and insert cross-references without losing your text formatting.

1. Open Document in WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office and open your .docx template.
2. Insert a Bookmark: Highlight your target text, navigate to the 'Insert' tab, click 'Bookmark', name it, and click 'Add'.
3. Add a Cross-Reference: Place your cursor where you want the reference to appear, go to the 'Reference' tab, click 'Cross-reference', select your bookmark, and click insert.
4. Update Fields: Right-click the inserted cross-reference and select 'Update Field' to refresh the data and maintain correct formatting.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formats and templates.Robust field and cross-reference management system that preserves formatting.Free and lightweight alternative for seamless document creation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my Word cross-references lose their formatting?

Word often struggles to carry over direct formatting (like manually pressing Ctrl+B) across long bookmarks in cross-references. Applying a dedicated Character Style resolves this by tying strict formatting rules to the text itself.

How do I update all cross-references in my document at once?

You can quickly update all fields and cross-references by selecting the entire document (Ctrl + A) and pressing the F9 key on your keyboard.

What is the difference between a Paragraph style and a Character style?

A Paragraph style applies formatting to an entire block of text (like alignment, spacing, and indents), whereas a Character style applies formatting only to the specific text you highlight, such as making a single word or phrase bold.

Can I fix this issue without recreating the bookmark?

Yes. You simply need to apply the new Character style to the existing bookmarked text, then update the fields using F9. You do not need to delete and recreate the bookmark itself.

Document & File Issues