Document Editing Problems

How to Exclude Header Content When Using INCLUDETEXT in Word

Khadija Khan Oct 12, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user wants to insert specific content from an external Word document using the INCLUDETEXT field without including its header, but encounters a "Bookmark not defined" error when attempting to use bookmarks to limit the text.

How to Exclude Header Content Using INCLUDETEXT in Word

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Merging specific body text from an external appendix or source document into a master document using the INCLUDETEXT field code.
Observed behavior: The INCLUDETEXT field pulls in unwanted header content, and attempting to restrict the inserted text using a bookmark results in a "Bookmark not defined" error.

Before you start

Ensure that both your master document and the source documents are saved locally on your computer, as INCLUDETEXT fields can behave unreliably with files stored in remote or cloud locations.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Valid Bookmarks in the Source Document

By creating a properly named bookmark in the source file that wraps only the desired body text, you can prevent headers from being included and fix the undefined bookmark error.

The INCLUDETEXT field inserts the entire document by default, including headers and footers. To restrict the insertion to specific paragraphs, you must bookmark the exact text in the source document.

A common reason for the "Bookmark not defined" error is using invalid characters in the bookmark name, such as the hashtag (#) symbol, or referencing a bookmark that hasn't been saved in the source file.

Open and highlight source text

Open the source document (the appendix) that contains the text you want to insert. Select exactly the body text you want to include, making sure not to highlight any header or footer areas.

Create a valid bookmark

Go to the "Insert" tab on the ribbon and click on "Bookmark". Type a valid bookmark name. The name must start with a letter, contain no spaces, and exclude special characters like '#'. Click "Add".

Save the source document

Save and close the source document to ensure the new bookmark is registered in the file.

Update the INCLUDETEXT field

In your master document, update the INCLUDETEXT field code to reference the file path followed by the exact bookmark name (for example: INCLUDETEXT "C:\\Docs\\Appendix.docx" MyBookmark).

Refresh the field

Right-click the field and select "Update Field", or press F9 on your keyboard, to display the correct text without the header.

Use Valid Bookmarks in the Source Document

Field Code Syntax: If you are typing the field code manually in Windows, remember to use double backslashes (\\) in your file directory path so Word reads it correctly.

Seamless Document Merging

Easily Merge Document Content with WPS Writer

WPS Office provides a highly compatible and user-friendly word processor that makes merging documents, managing bookmarks, and handling field codes straightforward without complex formatting errors.

1. Prepare the source text: Open your source document in WPS Writer. Select the text you wish to extract, navigate to the 'Insert' tab, click 'Bookmark', and give it a simple name.
2. Insert the field in the master document: Open your master document. Go to 'Insert' > 'Quick Parts' > 'Field' to open the field dialogue box.
3. Configure INCLUDETEXT: Select 'IncludeText' from the field names list. Input the file path of your source document and specify the bookmark name you just created, then click 'OK' to merge seamlessly.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word DOCX formats and field codesIntuitive bookmark management to link exact text segments without header interferenceLightweight application with fast document loading speeds

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my INCLUDETEXT field say 'Bookmark not defined'?

This error occurs if the bookmark name referenced in your field code does not exist in the source document, is misspelled, or contains invalid characters like a hashtag (#).

Can I use relative paths for INCLUDETEXT fields?

Yes, you can use relative paths, but it requires specific syntax formatting. It is often easier to keep all linked documents in the same local folder to maintain relative links without breaking them.

Why is the INCLUDETEXT field not updating automatically?

Word fields do not always update automatically when the source document changes. You need to manually update them by selecting the field (or the whole document by pressing Ctrl+A) and pressing the F9 key to refresh the content.

Document & File Issues