Office Settings & Configuration

Fix Word Showing Field Codes Instead of Table of Contents

Olivia Miller Sep 28, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user is seeing raw field code markup in their documents instead of the actual formatted headers, footers, and table of contents.

How to Fix Word Showing Field Codes Instead of Normal Text

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Viewing or editing new and older documents after updating to Word Version 2410.
Observed behavior: Headers, footers, and the table of contents display field-code markup rather than their normal formatted results.

Before you start

Ensure your document is in Print Layout view and check if your keyboard requires the Function (Fn) key to use standard F1-F12 keys.

Solution 1Recommended

Toggle Field Codes Using Keyboard Shortcuts

The fastest way to revert field codes back to normal text is by using the Alt+F9 shortcut.

Microsoft Word uses field codes as placeholders for dynamic data like table of contents and headers. Sometimes, an update (such as Version 2410) or an accidental keystroke can switch the display from formatted results to raw codes.

Open the affected document

Launch Microsoft Word and open the document that is currently displaying the field code markup.

Press Alt+F9

Press the 'Alt' and 'F9' keys on your keyboard simultaneously. If you are using a laptop or a compact keyboard, you may need to press 'Alt' + 'Fn' + 'F9'.

Verify the display

Scroll through your document to check if the headers, footers, and table of contents have returned to their normal, readable formats.

Toggle Field Codes Using Keyboard Shortcuts

No Data Loss: Toggling field codes only changes how the information is displayed on your screen; it does not delete or alter the actual fields in your document.

Solution 2

Disable Field Codes in Word Options

If the keyboard shortcut does not work, you can manually disable the field code display via Word's advanced settings.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Experience Hassle-Free Document Editing with WPS Office

Tired of unexpected layout changes and update glitches in Microsoft Word? Try WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and user-friendly alternative for all your document needs without the premium price tag.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install WPS Office Free on your device.
2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Word document directly.
3. Edit Seamlessly: View and edit your document instantly with all headers, footers, and table of contents perfectly formatted.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx), Excel (.xlsx), and PowerPoint (.pptx) formats.Handles headers, footers, and table of contents smoothly without unexpected field code displays.Lightweight installation with a familiar user interface for a zero learning curve.Free to use with built-in PDF editing capabilities.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my Word document suddenly change to field codes?

This usually happens due to an accidental press of the Alt+F9 shortcut key, or occasionally as a default view change following a recent software update (like Word Version 2410).

What is a field code in Microsoft Word?

A field code is a placeholder text used by Word to generate dynamic data, such as page numbers, dates, or a table of contents. It typically looks like text enclosed in curly braces, such as { TOC }.

Why isn't Alt+F9 working on my laptop?

Many modern laptops and compact keyboards require you to press the Function (Fn) key to activate the standard F-keys. Try pressing Alt + Fn + F9 simultaneously to toggle the field codes.

Can I print the document with field codes showing?

Yes, if the 'Print field codes instead of their values' option is enabled in Word's print settings, they will print as codes. To print the normal text, ensure you toggle the view back to normal results before printing.

Office App Problems