WD97: Cannot Undo Automatic Field Updates

• Microsoft Word 97 for Windows

SYMPTOMS

When you open a document containing a Date field, the field is updated automatically and you cannot undo the field update.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use one of the following methods.

Method 1: Save the File in Normal View

To prevent the field from being updated when you open a document, save the document in normal view after inserting the date. If the file is saved in normal view it will open in normal view and the Date field will not update automatically. The field should not update until you print or change views that cause Word to update the fields in your document (views that cause fields to be updated include page layout and print preview).

Method 2: Insert the Date without Enabling Update Automatically

NOTE: This method will insert the date as static text which can not be updated.

To insert the date field without enabling Update Automatically, follow these steps:

1. On the Insert menu click Date And Time.

2. In the Available formats list, select the Date or Time format you wish to use.

3. Clear the Update automatically check box.

4. Click OK.

Method 3: Refer to the Following Articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base

For additional information, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q173670
   TITLE     : WD97: How to Recover a Saved Field Value

   ARTICLE-ID: Q168100
   TITLE     : WD97: Fields Inserted in an Autotext Entry are Updated
               Automatically

STATUS

Microsoft is researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

This problem does not occur in Word versions 6.x, 7.x.