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How to Fix Word Field Code Display Option Greyed Out
Question details
The user is unable to hide field codes in Word because the toggle option in the settings menu is greyed out and inaccessible.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Trying to hide underlying field codes so that the document displays the actual formatted results instead of raw code.
- Observed behavior
- Word documents are displaying raw field codes instead of their values, and the option to hide them in the application settings is completely greyed out.
Ensure you have at least one Word document actively open, as many advanced application settings remain greyed out or hidden when no document is loaded in the software.
Use the Keyboard Shortcut to Toggle Field Codes
The fastest way to hide or show field codes without navigating through settings menus.
Field code display is an application-level setting in Word. You can bypass the settings menu entirely by using a built-in keyboard command, which instantly toggles between field codes and their generated values.
Launch Word and open any existing document or create a new blank one.
On a Windows computer, press 'Alt + F9' simultaneously to toggle the field code display.
On a Mac, press 'Option + F9'. Note that on some Mac or compact laptop keyboards, you may need to hold the 'Fn' key as well, making the shortcut 'Fn + Option + F9'.
Disable Field Codes via Word Options
Use the built-in Advanced settings menu to manually clear the field code display option once a document is open.
Easily Toggle Field Codes with WPS Writer
WPS Office offers a straightforward way to manage field codes in your documents without the confusion of locked or greyed-out settings. You can easily toggle between field codes and their values.
- 1. Open Document in WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office and open your .docx or .doc file containing the field codes.
- 2. Access Options: Click the 'Menu' button in the top left corner and select 'Options' from the drop-down list.
- 3. Adjust View Settings: Navigate to the 'View' tab located in the left pane of the Options dialog box.
- 4. Toggle Field Codes: Check or uncheck the 'Field codes' box under the Show section to toggle their display, then click 'OK'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Advanced Options menu greyed out in Word?
In Microsoft Word, many document-specific and advanced display settings are inaccessible (greyed out) if there isn't an active document open. Opening any blank or existing document will immediately enable these options.
Will hiding field codes in one document apply to all my files?
Yes. The field code display setting (whether toggled via Alt+F9 or the Advanced Options menu) is an application-level setting in Word. It affects all currently open files and any documents you open in the future.
Why doesn't the Alt+F9 shortcut work on my laptop?
Many modern laptops and compact keyboards have dual-purpose function keys. If Alt+F9 doesn't work, you likely need to hold down the 'Fn' (Function) key as well, making the full shortcut 'Fn + Alt + F9'.
What exactly are field codes in Word?
Field codes are placeholder texts used by Word for dynamic data, such as page numbers, current dates, mail merge elements, and table of contents entries. Toggling them off hides the raw formula and displays the actual generated results instead.
