PUB98: Field Codes Converted to Text After Editing Story in Word (178580)

SYMPTOMS

Publisher features an "Edit Story in Microsoft Word" command that you can use to export a story from a publication to Microsoft Word version 6.0 or higher. While you edit the story in Microsoft Word, you can add field codes to the story. However, once you choose the Exit And Return To <Publication> command, you will receive the warning that the field codes will be removed.

The field codes are then removed, and the field results are saved as plain text.

CAUSE

Publisher does not support field codes.

You use field codes in Word to perform some types of action. A date field, for example, will show the current date. Word uses field codes to generate forms and tables of contents.

If you add field codes to a story that originated in Publisher, the fields perform their assigned duties until you click Exit And Return To <Publication> on the File menu. When you do this, Word converts the fields to text that contain the most up-to-date field results. The text will appear to be correct when you return to Publisher, but if you edit that story in Word again, the field codes will not be there (only the field code results will appear).

WORKAROUND

If you want to have an object in Microsoft Publisher that contains fields that can be updated, follow these steps:

Create a document in Word that contains the desired fields. It should be small enough to fit on one page.
On the Edit menu, click Select All, and then click Copy on the Edit menu.
Switch to Microsoft Publisher.
On the Edit menu, click Paste Special.
In the list of object types, click Microsoft Word Document Object.

This method inserts a picture of the Word document in your publication. If you want to update the fields, you can double-click the object to start Word. You will not be able to edit this object directly from Publisher.