How to Fix Word Showing TOC and LINK Field Codes Instead of Text
Question details
The user needs to restore their document display so that field codes for the table of contents and linked data show their actual results rather than raw code.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Viewing a document that contains a table of contents or linked Excel content.
- Observed behavior
- The document displays underlying field codes (such as { TOC } or { LINK }) instead of the expected formatted text and calculated results.
Before altering your application settings, ensure you haven't accidentally toggled the field codes view via your keyboard. You can quickly test this by pressing Alt + F9 (or Fn + Alt + F9 on some laptops) to see if the document reverts to normal.
Disable Field Codes Display in Advanced Settings
Turn off the specific application setting that forces Word to display field codes instead of their calculated text values.
Microsoft Word has a global setting that dictates how fields are rendered on the screen. When enabled, this setting applies to all documents opened on the computer, which explains why the document might look perfectly fine when opened on a different machine.
Launch Microsoft Word and open your document. Click on the 'File' tab in the top-left corner of the ribbon, then select 'Options' at the bottom of the menu.
In the Word Options dialog box, click on 'Advanced' in the left-hand navigation pane.
Scroll down to the 'Show document content' section. Locate the checkbox labeled 'Show field codes instead of their values' and uncheck it.
Click 'OK' at the bottom of the dialog box to apply the changes. Your table of contents and linked Excel content should instantly update to display normally.
View and Manage Field Codes Easily with WPS Writer
WPS Office offers intuitive and seamless management of complex document elements like Table of Contents and linked data. You can easily control how field codes are displayed while keeping your formatting intact without getting lost in complex menus.
- 1. Open your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open the document containing the Table of Contents or linked fields.
- 2. Access Options: Click on 'Menu' in the top left corner and select 'Options' from the dropdown list.
- 3. Navigate to View Settings: In the Options dialog, select 'View' from the left sidebar.
- 4. Toggle Field Codes: Under the 'Formatting marks' section, ensure the 'Field codes' option is unchecked to hide raw codes and display text.
- 5. Confirm Changes: Click 'OK' to save your settings. Your document will now display the final text values smoothly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my Word document suddenly start showing field codes instead of text?
This usually happens if you accidentally press the Alt + F9 keyboard shortcut, which toggles the display between raw field codes and their actual results. It can also occur if the global setting was altered during an update or by another user on the same computer.
How do I update the Table of Contents after fixing the field code display?
Once the field codes are hidden and you can see your Table of Contents normally, simply right-click anywhere inside the table and select 'Update Field'. You will be prompted to update either just the page numbers or the entire table.
Are field codes necessary for a Table of Contents to function?
Yes, field codes are essential hidden instructions that tell the word processor how to generate the Table of Contents or fetch linked Excel data. They run in the background, so you typically only need to view their calculated results.
Will fixing this setting apply to all future documents I open?
Yes. Changing the 'Show field codes instead of their values' setting via the Options menu applies globally to the application. It will affect all documents you open on that specific computer.
