Office for Mac Issues

How to Update All Document Fields at Once in Word for Mac

Amos Gikunda Sep 28, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user needs a reliable method to simultaneously update multiple linked document fields (such as Title, Subject, and Date) when working with document templates.

How to Update All Document Fields at Once in Word for Mac

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Creating new documents from existing templates that contain dynamically linked document properties which need to be refreshed.
Observed behavior: The standard 'Select All' shortcut method fails to update the fields properly, forcing the user to find an alternative way to refresh all document properties at once.

Before you start

Make sure your document actually contains dynamic linked fields (such as document properties or dates) and verify your Mac's keyboard settings if you plan to use standard function key shortcuts.

Solution 1Recommended

Enable 'Update fields before printing' and Use Print Preview

This is the most reliable workaround for Word for Mac when standard selection shortcuts fail to update document fields.

By forcing Word to automatically update fields before a document prints, you can simply trigger the Print Preview dialog to refresh all document properties without actually having to print any pages.

Open Word Preferences

Launch Word for Mac, click on 'Word' in the top Apple menu bar, and select 'Preferences' from the dropdown menu.

Enable the Print Setting

Click on 'Print' under the Output and Sharing section. Check the box next to 'Update fields before printing' and close the Preferences window.

Open Print Preview

Go to 'File' > 'Print' (or press Cmd + P). The print preview will load, automatically updating all fields in your document. You can then click 'Cancel' to close the dialog.

Enable 'Update fields before printing' and Use Print Preview

No Printing Required: You only need to open the print dialog to trigger the update; you do not need to actually send the document to your printer.

Solution 2

Use the Fn+F9 Keyboard Shortcut

A quick keyboard method to update fields, provided your Mac's function keys are configured correctly.

Solution 3

Add Print Preview to the Quick Access Toolbar

Place the Print Preview command directly on your toolbar for one-click access to field updates.

Efficient Document Management

Easily Manage and Update Fields with WPS Office

WPS Office offers a fully featured Writer application for Mac that handles document fields smoothly, without the need for complicated printing workarounds. You can update your template properties seamlessly in seconds.

1. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Office for Mac and open the document or template containing your fields.
2. Select All Content: Press Cmd + A on your Mac keyboard to highlight the entire document.
3. Update the Fields: Right-click on the selected text and choose 'Update Field' from the context menu, or simply press F9.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) and template formatsUpdate all fields instantly with standard shortcutsLightweight design optimized for macOS performanceFree and intuitive alternative to Microsoft Office

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't the Cmd+A and F9 shortcut work on my Word for Mac?

Some versions of Word for Mac experience a known issue where standard shortcuts fail to update fields globally. Additionally, macOS often requires pressing the 'Fn' key alongside 'F9' unless you change your Mac's system keyboard preferences to treat F1, F2, etc., as standard function keys.

Can I use a macro to update all document fields?

Yes, you can write a simple VBA macro to iterate through all stories and fields in the document and update them. However, for most users, enabling the 'Update fields before printing' preference is much simpler and requires no coding.

Will updating fields change my existing text formatting?

Updating fields usually preserves your formatting unless the field itself is set to pull in new formatting from the source data. You can lock specific fields (using Cmd+F11) if you do not want them to change during a global update.

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