Office Settings & Configuration

How to Fix Word Showing Page Field Codes Instead of Numbers

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user's Word documents are displaying raw field codes, such as {PAGE \* MERGEFORMAT}, instead of the calculated page numbers.

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Viewing or editing new and existing documents that contain page numbers.
Observed behavior: The document shows the underlying field code text rather than the actual page numbers.

Before you start

Check your keyboard layout, as many laptops require you to hold the Fn key to activate standard Function (F1-F12) keys during shortcuts.

Solution 1Recommended

Toggle Field Codes Using a Keyboard Shortcut

The quickest way to resolve this issue is by using Word's built-in keyboard shortcut to toggle off the field code display.

Microsoft Word has a toggle feature that switches the view between the actual field values (like page numbers) and their underlying programming codes. Accidental keystrokes often trigger this mode.

Open the affected document

Open the Word document where the {PAGE \* MERGEFORMAT} codes are currently visible.

Press the toggle shortcut

Press Alt + F9 on your keyboard. If you are using a laptop or a compact keyboard, press Fn + Alt + F9.

Verify the page numbers

Check the header or footer of your document to ensure the field codes have reverted to standard page numbers.

Quick Fix: Using Alt + F9 toggles the field codes for the entire document instantly, saving you from navigating through complex settings menus.

Solution 2

Disable Field Codes in Word Options

If the keyboard shortcut does not work or your keyboard limits function keys, you can manually disable the field code display in the Word Options menu.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my Word document suddenly start showing field codes?

This usually happens if you accidentally press the Alt + F9 shortcut, which is the built-in command to toggle the display of field codes instead of their values across the entire document.

Does showing field codes affect how the document prints?

Yes, if the field codes are visible on your screen, they may also print that way depending on your print settings. Toggling them off using Alt + F9 before printing resolves this.

Can I hide field codes for just one specific page number?

The Alt + F9 shortcut applies to the entire document. If you only want to toggle a single specific field code, select that specific code and press Shift + F9 instead.

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