Office for Mac Issues

How to Fix Word Table and Figure Caption Numbering Conflicts on Mac

Maira Mehtab Sep 27, 2026 872 views

Question details

The user needs to fix an issue where Word for Mac incorrectly combines table and figure captions into the same numbering sequence.

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Replacing a PowerPoint figure with a Word table and reusing the old caption, or manually applying wrong caption labels in a document.
Observed behavior: Table and figure captions merge into a single continuous numbering sequence, which consequently breaks the generated list of tables.

Before you start

Before modifying your captions, it is highly recommended to display field codes in your document to easily identify which labels are currently applied to your tables and figures.

Solution 1Recommended

Delete and Reinsert Captions with Correct Labels

The most reliable method to fix numbering sequence conflicts is to manually remove the incorrect captions and reinsert them using the specific label designated for tables or figures.

Caption numbering issues usually stem from a mismatch in label metadata, especially if a figure was replaced by a table but the old caption was kept. Word relies entirely on the selected label (Table, Figure, or Equation) to maintain separate numbering sequences.

Delete the corrupted caption

Locate the incorrect table or figure caption in your Word document and highlight the entire caption text, including the number, then press the Delete key.

Select the element

Click on the table or figure that you want to properly caption to select it.

Open the Insert Caption tool

Navigate to the 'References' tab in the Word ribbon at the top of the screen and click on 'Insert Caption'.

Choose the correct label

In the Caption dialog box, click the 'Label' dropdown menu. Select 'Table' if you are captioning a table, or select 'Figure' for an image or chart.

Apply and rebuild lists

Click 'OK' to apply the caption. Once you have repeated this for all affected items, right-click your List of Tables or List of Figures and select 'Update Field' to rebuild your cross-references.

Avoid reusing captions: If you replace an image with a table (or vice versa), never edit the existing caption text. Always delete the old caption and generate a new one to prevent numbering corruption.

Manage Captions Easily

Use WPS Writer for Seamless Table and Figure Captioning

WPS Writer provides an intuitive and highly reliable References tool to seamlessly manage table and figure captions without numbering conflicts. It is fully compatible with Microsoft Word documents on Mac.

1. Open your document: Launch WPS Writer and open the document containing the tables and figures.
2. Select the element: Click to select the specific image, chart, or table you wish to caption.
3. Insert the caption: Navigate to the 'References' tab on the top ribbon and click 'Insert Caption'.
4. Assign the label: Choose the appropriate label ('Table' or 'Figure') from the dropdown list and click 'OK'.
5. Generate lists: To insert a directory of your tables, click 'Insert Table of Figures' under the References tab and select your preferred format.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formatsIntuitive caption management prevents numbering sequence errorsEasily generate, manage, and update lists of tables and figuresFree, lightweight, and fast office suite for Mac

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my Word table and figure numbers continuing from each other?

This happens when both elements are accidentally assigned the same caption label (e.g., both are labeled as 'Figure'). Word uses the label type to determine the numbering sequence, so identical labels will cause a single, continuous numbering sequence.

How do I update my List of Tables after fixing the captions?

Right-click anywhere inside your existing List of Tables and select 'Update Field'. If prompted, choose 'Update entire table' to refresh the entries, fixing any broken sequences or incorrect page numbers.

Can I create a custom label for my captions in Word for Mac?

Yes. In the Insert Caption dialog box, click on the 'New Label...' button. You can type a custom identifier like 'Chart', 'Diagram', or 'Equation', which will automatically have its own independent numbering sequence.

Does copy-pasting figures cause caption numbering issues?

It can. If you copy a figure along with its auto-generated caption and paste it elsewhere in the document, Word may duplicate the sequence number or temporarily merge sequences. It is best practice to insert a brand-new caption for pasted figures.

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