Formatting Issues

How to Change the Font of Cross-References in Microsoft Word

Muhammad Talha Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to match the font of inserted cross-references, such as figure references, to the surrounding document text formatting.

How to Change the Font of Cross-References in Microsoft Word

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Formatting academic or professional documents with internal references to figures, tables, or sections.
Observed behavior: Inserted cross-references appear in a different font or size because they inherit formatting from an underlying style or field setting rather than the surrounding body text.

Before you start

Before modifying field codes or styles, ensure your document is saved and check the exact font name and size of the surrounding text you want the cross-reference to match.

Solution 1Recommended

Modify the Cross-Reference or Caption Style

Adjusting the underlying style applied to the cross-reference is the easiest way to ensure consistency without manually editing hidden field codes.

Cross-references in Word typically inherit their formatting from a specific style, most commonly 'Caption' or 'Normal'. Updating this base style will fix the font for all references that use it.

Select the cross-reference

Highlight the cross-reference text in your document that is displaying the incorrect font.

Identify the applied style

Go to the 'Home' tab and look at the 'Styles' pane. The style currently applied to your cross-reference (such as Caption or Normal) will be highlighted.

Modify the style settings

Right-click the highlighted style in the Styles gallery and select 'Modify'.

Apply new font formatting

In the Modify Style dialog box, change the font, size, and color to match your document's main text, then click 'OK' to save.

Modify the Cross-Reference or Caption Style

Applying to Hyperlinks: If your cross-reference was inserted as a hyperlink, it might be inheriting the default 'Hyperlink' style. You can modify the Hyperlink style using the exact same steps.

Solution 2

Apply the CHARFORMAT Switch to the Field Code

If changing the style doesn't resolve the issue, you can force the cross-reference to adopt the formatting of the surrounding text by adding a specific switch to its field code.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless Document Formatting

If you are tired of wrestling with hidden field codes and complex style settings in Microsoft Word, WPS Office offers a highly compatible alternative. It provides an intuitive interface for managing cross-references, captions, and advanced document formatting without the hassle.

1. Download and install: Get WPS Office for free from the official website and run the lightweight installer.
2. Open your document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Microsoft Word document directly.
3. Format with ease: Highlight your cross-reference and easily adjust the font settings from the straightforward Home ribbon.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word formats (.docx, .doc), ensuring all your cross-references remain intact.Free to download and use, offering powerful word processing without expensive subscriptions.Intuitive formatting tools make adjusting fonts and styles effortless.Familiar user interface requires no learning curve when switching from Microsoft Office.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my cross-reference font change after updating the field in Word?

When you update a field by pressing F9 or printing the document, Word resets the text to match the underlying style applied to that field (like the Caption or Hyperlink style). If you previously changed the font manually without updating the style or adding a field switch, your manual formatting will be overwritten upon update.

What is the difference between MERGEFORMAT and CHARFORMAT in field codes?

The MERGEFORMAT switch attempts to preserve manual formatting applied directly to the field result, but it can be inconsistent. The CHARFORMAT switch is more reliable; it forces the entire field result to take on the exact font formatting applied to the first character of the field code (usually the opening bracket).

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

To update all fields simultaneously, press Ctrl+A to select the entire document, then press F9. This will refresh all cross-references, tables of contents, and other dynamic fields to reflect their latest targets and style settings.

How can I remove the default blue hyperlink format from a cross-reference?

By default, Word may apply a hyperlink style (blue and underlined) if the 'Insert as hyperlink' box was checked. To remove this, you can right-click the Hyperlink style in the Styles pane and modify it to match your normal text, or toggle field codes (Alt+F9) and remove the \h switch from the specific reference code.

Document & File Issues