How to Fix 'Error! Main Document Only' in Word to PDF Conversion
Question details
The user needs to eliminate the 'Error! Main Document Only' message that replaces footnote text during Word to PDF conversion.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Converting a Word document containing footnotes into a PDF file.
- Observed behavior
- Instead of displaying the correct footnote text, the resulting PDF shows 'Error! Main Document Only' in random footnotes.
Before modifying hidden field codes in your document, save a backup copy of your Word file to prevent accidental loss of footnote formatting or numbering.
Identify and Delete Problematic SEQ Fields
This error is typically triggered by misplaced sequence (SEQ) field codes in footnotes. Revealing and removing these unnecessary codes will fix the conversion issue.
Word uses field codes to automate numbering, but sequence fields are meant for the main document. When an SEQ field is incorrectly placed or corrupted inside a footnote, PDF converters fail to render it and output an error message instead.
Open your document in Microsoft Word and press Alt + F9 on your keyboard. This toggles the display from field values to the underlying field codes.
Press Ctrl + F to open the Find dialog or Navigation pane. Type 'SEQ' into the search box to locate all sequence fields, paying special attention to those residing in the footnotes.
Highlight the problematic or unnecessary SEQ field codes within the footnotes and press the Delete key to remove them.
Press Alt + F9 again to hide the field codes and return to the normal text view. Save your Word document, then attempt to create or export the PDF again.
Convert Word to PDF Seamlessly with WPS Office
WPS Office features a robust, built-in PDF converter that handles complex formatting, footnotes, and field codes accurately without generating 'Main Document Only' errors.
- 1. Open Document in WPS Writer: Launch WPS Office and open the Word document (.docx or .doc) that you want to convert.
- 2. Access the Export Tool: Click the 'Menu' button in the top-left corner and select 'Export to PDF' from the dropdown list.
- 3. Adjust PDF Settings: In the dialog box, select your save location and adjust settings such as export range or image quality if needed.
- 4. Export to PDF: Click the 'Export to PDF' button to instantly generate a high-quality PDF document with all footnotes perfectly preserved.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'Error! Main Document Only' mean in Word?
This error indicates that a specific type of field code (like a sequence field) has been inserted into a footnote, endnote, or header/footer, but that specific field type is only functional within the main body of the document.
Why do SEQ fields cause errors during PDF conversion?
When you export or print to PDF, the software attempts to update and render all field codes in the document. If an SEQ field is incorrectly placed in a footnote, the rendering engine fails to process it and prints the error text onto the PDF instead.
How can I check for field code errors before converting?
Press Ctrl + A to select your entire document, then press F9 to force an update of all field codes. If there are misplaced codes, the error messages will appear directly in the Word document, allowing you to fix them before converting to PDF.
Does the method of PDF conversion affect this error?
Yes. Sometimes using a third-party PDF printer (like Adobe PDF) will trigger this error, while using Word's native 'Save As' > 'PDF' feature or the 'Export to PDF' feature in WPS Office can handle the conversion without displaying the error.
