'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
How to Change Word Bookmark Text Without Deleting It on Mac
Question details
The user needs a way to update or replace the text inside a document template bookmark without accidentally deleting the bookmark reference.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Updating predefined text fields within a formatted Word document template that relies on bookmarks for references and automated data entry.
- Observed behavior
- Selecting all the text inside a bookmark and typing or pasting new content overwrites and permanently deletes the bookmark.
Before modifying template structures or running macros, create a duplicate copy of your document to prevent accidental loss of important bookmark references.
Use Content Controls Instead of Bookmarks
Content controls provide a structured and permanent placeholder for text that will not be deleted when a user replaces the contents.
For editable templates, Content Controls are highly recommended over standard bookmarks. They are specifically designed to act as fillable forms, ensuring that formatting and document structure remain intact even when the entirety of the placeholder text is replaced.
Go to Word > Preferences > Ribbon & Toolbar on your Mac. Under the 'Customize the Ribbon' list, check the box next to 'Developer' and click Save.
Place your cursor where you want the text placeholder. Navigate to the newly added Developer tab and click on the 'Rich Text' or 'Plain Text' Content Control icon.
Click 'Properties' in the Developer tab to assign a title or tag to your Content Control, making it easy to identify or reference in your template.
Replace Text Partially (Manual Workaround)
A quick manual method to preserve the bookmark by typing new text inside the existing text boundaries before deleting the old characters.
Use a VBA Macro to Recreate the Bookmark
Automate the replacement process using a VBA script that deletes the text, inserts the new content, and instantly recreates the bookmark in the same location.
Edit Word Documents and Templates Seamlessly on Mac
Struggling with Microsoft Word's formatting quirks and complicated template setups on Mac? WPS Office offers a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for creating, editing, and managing document templates with an intuitive interface.
- 1. Download the Mac App: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installer specifically optimized for macOS.
- 2. Install and Launch: Follow the simple installation prompts and launch WPS Office from your Applications folder.
- 3. Open Your Templates: Drag and drop your existing Microsoft Word templates directly into WPS Writer to continue editing seamlessly without losing your formatting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my bookmark disappear when I paste text over it?
In Microsoft Word, a bookmark is intrinsically tied to the exact range of characters it encompasses. When you select that entire range and replace it, Word overwrites both the text and the metadata defining the bookmark.
How can I actually see where bookmarks are in my Word document on Mac?
You can make bookmarks visible by turning on their brackets. Navigate to Word > Preferences > View, and check the 'Bookmarks' option under the Show in Document section. They will appear as gray brackets [like this] around the text.
Are Content Controls fully supported in Word for Mac?
Yes, modern versions of Word for Mac (Microsoft 365 and Office 2019+) support Content Controls via the Developer tab. However, some legacy controls from older Windows versions might have limited compatibility.
How do I navigate to an existing bookmark to edit it?
Press Cmd + Shift + G or go to Edit > Find > Go To. Select 'Bookmark' from the 'Go to what' list, choose the name of your bookmark from the dropdown menu, and click 'Go To'.
