Formatting Issues

Fix Word Footer Cross-Reference Formatting with CHARFORMAT

Amos Gikunda Oct 23, 2026 870 views

Question details

Users need to prevent footer cross-references from inheriting the original bookmarked title's formatting and instead use the standard footer style.

How to Fix Word Footer Cross-Reference Formatting with CHARFORMAT

Product: Word
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Inserting a cross-reference to a bookmarked title inside a document's footer.
Observed behavior: The inserted cross-reference displays the font size, weight, or style of the original heading instead of matching the footer's native text formatting.

Before you start

Make sure your bookmarks and cross-references are already inserted in the footer before modifying the field codes.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the CHARFORMAT Switch in the Field Code

Editing the field code to include the CHARFORMAT switch forces the cross-reference to adopt the formatting applied to the field itself.

By default, cross-references might pull in the source text's formatting. The \* CHARFORMAT switch tells the word processor to apply the formatting of the first character of the field code to the entire field result.

Open Footer Editing Mode

Double-click inside the footer area of your document to activate the Header & Footer tools.

Display Field Codes

Press 'Alt + F9' on your keyboard. This will reveal the underlying field codes for your cross-references, which will look something like { REF BookmarkName }.

Add the CHARFORMAT Switch

Click inside the field code braces and type '\* CHARFORMAT' at the end, so it looks like { REF BookmarkName \* CHARFORMAT }.

Format and Update

Select the first character of the field code (or the entire field) and apply your desired footer font and size. Press 'Alt + F9' again to hide the codes, then update the field by right-clicking it and selecting 'Update Field'.

Use the CHARFORMAT Switch in the Field Code

Update Shortcut: You can also quickly update fields by switching to Print Preview and then pressing 'Esc' to return to your document view.

Advanced Formatting Features

Manage Cross-References Perfectly with WPS Writer

WPS Writer fully supports advanced field codes and formatting switches, allowing you to create perfectly styled professional documents.

1. Edit Footer: Double-click the footer section in your WPS Writer document to open the Header and Footer editing mode.
2. Toggle Field Codes: Right-click the cross-reference field you inserted and select 'Toggle Field Codes'.
3. Apply Switch: Type '\* CHARFORMAT' inside the field bracket, format the text block to match your footer style, and right-click to select 'Update Field'.

Seamless compatibility with Microsoft Word (.docx) formats and field codes.Advanced Header and Footer editing tools for precision formatting.Free and lightweight alternative to Microsoft Word.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my cross-reference format change when I print or save to PDF?

Word processors often update fields automatically before printing or exporting. If the field lacks a formatting switch like \* CHARFORMAT, it will revert to the source heading's formatting during this update.

Can I use MERGEFORMAT instead of CHARFORMAT?

Yes, \* MERGEFORMAT preserves manual formatting applied to the field result. However, \* CHARFORMAT is generally more reliable for enforcing a specific uniform style, as it strictly bases the result on the field code's own formatting.

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

Press 'Ctrl + A' to select the entire document, then press 'F9'. This will refresh all fields, including cross-references and tables of contents, applying any new formatting rules you've set.

Document & File Issues