Document Editing Problems

Fix Word Deleting Content After Pressing Ctrl+A and F9

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 873 views

Question details

The user needs to recover document content that suddenly vanished after attempting to update document fields using keyboard shortcuts.

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to update all fields in a document quickly by selecting all text and using a keyboard shortcut.
Observed behavior: Images and large sections of document text disappear entirely from the screen, making it appear as though the content was deleted.

Before you start

Before proceeding, avoid saving or closing the document to ensure your recent action history is preserved for undoing, and double-check that your keyboard's Ctrl key is not physically stuck.

Solution 1Recommended

Recover Hidden Content by Toggling Field Codes

Use this solution if you accidentally pressed Ctrl+F9 instead of F9. This action turns your selected text into a hidden field code, which can easily be reversed.

Pressing Ctrl+A followed by Ctrl+F9 instead of F9 wraps your entire document selection in field braces { }. Word treats this as a command field rather than standard text, which effectively hides your content from normal view.

Toggle field codes

Press Alt+F9 on your keyboard. This switches Word from standard view to field-code display mode, revealing the text that was hidden inside the brackets.

Locate the field braces

Look for the curly brackets { } that were added to the beginning and end of your recovered text sections.

Remove the field formatting

Carefully highlight and delete only the { and } brackets to convert the field code back into normal text.

Return to normal view

Press Alt+F9 again to turn off the field-code display and confirm your document layout has returned to normal.

Proper Shortcut for Updating Fields: The correct sequence to update fields is to press Ctrl+A, release all keys, and then press F9 alone.

Solution 2

Use the Undo Command to Revert the Shortcut

Use this method if you have just performed the shortcut and haven't made any other changes to the document.

Seamless Document Editing

Edit and Update Fields Safely with WPS Writer

WPS Office provides an intuitive, user-friendly interface for managing document fields, minimizing the risk of accidental deletions while maintaining seamless compatibility with your existing Word files.

1. Open your document: Launch WPS Writer and open the document containing the fields you need to update.
2. Select document content: Press Ctrl+A to select the entire document.
3. Update fields via menu: Right-click anywhere on the selected text and choose 'Update Field' from the context menu to safely refresh your data without shortcut errors.

Free, lightweight, and fast document processingFully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) file formatsClear visual menus to update fields without relying solely on shortcutsCustomizable keyboard settings to prevent accidental keystrokes

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Ctrl+F9 make my text disappear in Word?

Pressing Ctrl+F9 commands Word to insert empty field code braces { } around whatever text you have selected. Because field codes process backend data rather than displaying raw text by default, the content inside the braces is hidden from the normal document view.

How do I properly update a table of contents or all fields at once?

First, press Ctrl+A to select everything in the document. Then, press only the F9 key. Ensure you are not holding down the Ctrl key or any other modifier keys when you press F9.

What does Alt+F9 do in a document?

Alt+F9 is a toggle shortcut that switches the display of field codes on and off. If your document suddenly shows backend formulas like { TOC \o } instead of actual text or tables, pressing Alt+F9 will switch it back to the normal reading view.

Document & File Issues