MS Word: table references value in another table cell

[screech]

Hello. I have a question that is a cross between Excel and Word.

I have a word document that is nicely formatted and pretty. In that document, I have a cell in a table that will contain an alphanumeric number, for example: R56. This can be manually entered into the cell of the table. I also have other separate tables in the same document that I would like to adjust depending on that first cell so that the cell of the next table will have R57 in it. Another table will have a cell with R58, and so on. I would like this to be set up so that when the original cell in the table changes to something else, like R89, the other tables will automatically change to R90, R91, etc.

This is easy in Excel and I know there is some cross-functionality between Microsoft Office programs, so I would like to find out if there is any way I can do this in Word as well.

Thank you for all your guidance and direction.

 

[gwkenny]

Word operates a bit differently.

You can do what you want, but you should use field codes. Specifically Listnum or Seq field code.

 

[screech]

Thanks for the help! I just discovered the "SEQ" field code and I think I'm getting it to work. I never even knew what a field code was before today.

One little question: Is there an easy way to update the first number of the sequence, or should it always be done with right-clicking on the field and editing it in the popup? The reason I ask is that it appears that Word keeps putting multiple "/* MERGEFORMAT" tags into my field code automatically when I do it this way. Plus, anything that can simplify the update process for the document for other people using it would be great.

 

[gwkenny]

Shouldn't be putting multiple "/* MERGEFORMAT" in your field code. I don't get that effect with Word on my machine.

Then again, that's the first time I used the mouse and right clicked on a field.

I usually do alt-F9. That toggles on/off display field codes.

As for numbering. Seq will naturally start off from 1 and number sequentially.

You only need to update the first number of the sequence if you want numbering to start other than 1.

If edits are performed, fieldcodes don't update automatically. If you want the codes to update, do a File Print Preview. That forces a re-calc of the whole word document and your field codes will update. That's the easiest way to train users. Something everyone is usually familiar with (print preview).

Alternatively, you can highlight the whole document and click F9 (ctrl-A and then press F9).