Document Editing Problems

How to Fix Word Mail Merge Displaying Field Codes Instead of Data

Ayan Masood Oct 21, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user's Word mail merge outputs documents displaying raw field codes rather than the actual merged data from the connected Excel file.

How to Fix Word Mail Merge Displaying Field Codes Instead of Data

Product: Microsoft Word 365
Device & OS: Windows 11
Scenario: Creating individual documents from a mail merge connected to an Excel data source.
Observed behavior: The newly created merged documents display field codes instead of the expected data values.

Before you start

Ensure your Excel data source is correctly formatted without any blank rows at the top, and save all changes in the spreadsheet before attempting the mail merge in Word.

Solution 1Recommended

Toggle Field Codes Using Alt+F9

This is the most common and fastest fix if your mail merge documents are suddenly showing raw code like {MERGEFIELD Name} instead of the actual data.

Microsoft Word has a built-in shortcut to toggle between displaying the actual data and the underlying field codes. Sometimes this setting gets triggered accidentally or flipped during a software update.

Open your Word document

Open the mail merge document that is displaying the incorrect field codes.

Use the toggle shortcut

Press the 'Alt' and 'F9' keys on your keyboard simultaneously. Note: On some laptops or Surface devices, you may need to press 'Alt' + 'Fn' + 'F9'.

Verify the text

Check if the field codes revert to normal text placeholders or the merged data.

Run the merge again

Run the 'Merge to Individual Documents' process again to see if the final output displays the data correctly.

Shortcut Alternative: If Alt+F9 does not work, you can also go to File > Options > Advanced, scroll down to the 'Show document content' section, and uncheck 'Show field codes instead of their values'.

Solution 2

Reconnect the Excel Data Source

Sometimes, Windows or Office updates can temporarily disrupt the connection between Word and the Excel data source.

Solution 3

Check for Office and Windows Updates

Since this issue can occur directly after a Windows update or as a temporary glitch, ensuring Office is fully up-to-date can resolve underlying bugs.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Use WPS Office for Reliable Mail Merges

If Microsoft Word updates are disrupting your workflow, WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and fully compatible alternative. Its Writer application supports standard mail merge features directly compatible with Excel data sources, ensuring a seamless and familiar experience without unexpected glitches.

1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office for free from the official website and install it on your Windows device.
2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx mail merge template.
3. Run the Mail Merge: Navigate to the References tab, click on Mail Merge, and connect your .xlsx data source to easily generate your documents.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) and Excel (.xlsx) formats.Built-in Mail Merge feature that works seamlessly with your existing spreadsheets.Lightweight software that avoids heavy system update disruptions.Familiar user interface makes transitioning incredibly easy.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I see {MERGEFIELD} instead of my data in Word?

This happens when Word is set to display field codes instead of their values. It can be easily toggled off by pressing Alt + F9 on your keyboard, which restores the normal view of your merged data.

Can Windows updates cause Word mail merge to fail?

Yes, users have reported that recent Windows 11 or Microsoft 365 updates can temporarily cause glitches in mail merge, such as displaying field codes instead of actual text. Reconnecting the data source or ensuring the latest patch is installed often resolves this.

How do I preview results before finishing the mail merge?

On the Mailings tab, click the 'Preview Results' button. This allows you to page through your recipient data and verify that fields are populated correctly before generating the final individual documents.

Document & File Issues