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How to quickly convert field codes to text in Word

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When working with Word documents that use features such as automatic numbering, references, or other dynamic content, field codes often appear as formatted snippets like { SEQ Table \* ARABIC }. These codes are useful for automation, but sometimes, you may need to convert them to plain text—either showing just the displayed result, or revealing the field code itself in standard text format. This guide provides practical solutions for different scenarios, ensuring you can choose the most suitable method for your needs, including built-in shortcuts, helpful add-ins like Kutools for Word, as well as VBA options.

Convert field codes to displayed values with a shortcut

Convert field codes to text with Kutools for Word

Convert field codes to text with VBA

Alternative solution: Manual copy-paste workaround

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Convert field codes to plain text with a shortcut

In scenarios where you need to remove the underlying field but keep only the information currently displayed—such as converting page numbers, table numbers, or formula results into fixed text—the built-in Word shortcut provides a very efficient approach. This is particularly useful when you want the document to display stable content that will not update anymore, for sharing or archiving purposes.

  1. Select the content where you want to convert field codes—either press Ctrl + A to select the whole document, or highlight a specific range.Tip: For converting only specific field codes, use your mouse or keyboard to select the relevant portion rather than the entire document. This helps maintain any dynamic fields elsewhere.
  2. Press Ctrl + Shift + F9 to convert all fields in the selection to their displayed values.
    Field Codes converted to displayed values

Note: Once you use this shortcut, the conversion is permanent—the fields are removed, and only the result remains. This means you can no longer update those values automatically, which is ideal for finalized or distributed documents. If you need the field codes as text (such as { SEQ Table \* ARABIC }), please refer to the next methods.

  • Applicable scenarios: Archiving, printing, document sharing, or situations where you want to freeze dynamic content.
  • Limitations: This method does not preserve the original field codes themselves; only the displayed values will remain.
  • Error reminder: If you accidentally use Ctrl + Shift + F9 before making a backup, there is no simple way to revert to the original fields. Consider saving your document before applying the conversion.

Convert field codes to text with Kutools for Word

Kutools for Word greatly simplifies the process of converting field codes to text. Unlike the shortcut method, which removes the field entirely, this approach preserves the original field code itself as text in your document. This is especially valuable for technical documentation, templates that require field code illustration, or for troubleshooting field issues.

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  • To convert field codes to text in a selected area, first highlight the content you want to process. Navigate to the Kutools tab on the ribbon, click Convert, then select Convert Field Codes to Text. Kutools will transform the actual fields into their plain code representation within the selected part, making it easy to document or review field structures.
    Convert Field Codes to Text option on the Kutools tab on the ribbon
  • If you want to convert field codes throughout the entire document, simply go to Kutools > Convert > Convert Field Codes to Text without highlighting any content. A confirmation dialog will appear to prevent accidental total document conversion. Click Yes to proceed.
    Convert Field Codes to Text dialog

After confirming, all field codes within the selected range or the entire document will be converted to static text displaying their raw format, such as { SEQ Table \* ARABIC }. This provides transparency for reviewing underlying document structure or sharing field formats with team members.

Document with field codes>>>Document with field codes converted to text

Click here for more details about Kutools for Word's Convert Field Codes to Text.

  • Applicable scenarios: Documentation writing, Word template design, field code troubleshooting, teaching material preparation.
  • Benefits: The add-in supports both partial and full document conversion and provides confirmation prompts for safer bulk changes.
  • Precautions: After converting field codes to text, they will not update automatically and cannot be restored directly to field format without re-inserting fields. Always double-check the selection before confirming.
  • Practical tip: Consider using Word's “Undo” (Ctrl + Z) if you need to quickly revert the conversion immediately after applying it, as long as you have not closed the document.

Want a faster way to handle similar tasks in Word? Try Kutools for Word and simplify your daily work.

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Convert field codes to text with VBA

If your workflow demands batch conversion or customized field code extraction, VBA provides a scripted solution for advanced users. You can use VBA macros either to create a new document listing all codes or to replace fields with their code representation directly within your current document. This is ideal for users managing large technical documents, macros, or those needing repeatable automation. Please note: These macros apply to the entire document rather than selected parts.

  1. Open the document whose field codes you want to process. Press Alt + F11 to launch the Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications window.
  2. In the VBA window, click Insert > Module. Copy and paste one of the following VBA code blocks into the module.

    Note: Choose the macro according to your needs: one macro extracts codes into a new document; another replaces fields with their code representation in your current document.

    VBA1: Extract field codes and save them in a new Word document

    Sub fieldcodetotext_extract()
    Dim MyString As String
    Dim aField As Field
    Dim doc As Document
    On Error Resume Next
    xTitleId = "KutoolsforWord"
    
    MyString = ""
    For Each aField In Application.ActiveDocument.Fields
        MyString = MyString & vbCr & aField.Code.Text
    Next aField
    
    Set doc = Documents.Add
    doc.Content.InsertAfter MyString
    
    MsgBox "Field codes have been copied to a new document.", vbInformation, xTitleId
    
    Set aField = Nothing
    Set doc = Nothing
End Sub

    This macro collects all field codes from the active document and inserts them into a new document for review or documentation.

    VBA2: Replace field codes with their code representation in the original document

    Sub fieldcodetotext_replace()
    Dim aField As Field
    Dim MyString As String
    Dim sel As Selection
    
    On Error Resume Next
    xTitleId = "KutoolsforWord"
    
    ActiveWindow.View.ShowFieldCodes = True
    
    For Each aField In ActiveDocument.Fields
        MyString = "{ " & aField.Code.Text & " }"
        aField.Select
        Set sel = Application.Selection
        sel.Text = MyString
    Next aField
    
    ActiveWindow.View.ShowFieldCodes = False
    
    MsgBox "All field codes have been replaced with their code representation.", vbInformation, xTitleId
    
    Set sel = Nothing
    Set aField = Nothing
End Sub

    This macro replaces each field in your document with a textual representation showing the field code, enclosed in braces.

  3. Save your changes in the VBA editor and return to the Word document. Click the Run button Run button or press F5to execute the code.If running the extraction macro, a new document will open with the field codes. If using the replacement macro, the current document's fields will become static code text.

Note: These VBA macros will affect the entire document and cannot be reversed easily, so consider making a backup of your document before use. For partial changes, use manual selection methods or Kutools for Word instead.

  • Applicable scenarios: Bulk field extraction, documentation automation, template code review.
  • Error reminder: Macros do not prompt for confirmation before applying changes; always ensure you save your document and understand which macro you are executing.
  • Practical tip: Try running these scripts on a copy of your document first to make sure the results match your expectations.
  • Troubleshooting: If the macros do not work as expected, check that your macros are enabled in Word, and that you have permissions to run VBA. Ensure you do not have protected content or track changes enabled, as these can impact macro execution.
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Alternative solution: Manual copy-paste workaround

If you require only a few field codes to be displayed as text and prefer not to use add-ins or macros, you can manually copy and paste the field code as text using built-in Word options.

  1. Right-click on the field in your document and choose Toggle Field Codes to display the field code instead of its value.
  2. Highlight and copy the field code text shown (including braces if desired).
  3. Press Ctrl + Shift + F9 to remove the field and paste the copied code wherever needed as regular text.
  • Applicable scenarios: When you only need a handful of field codes transformed to static text, or you want to illustrate specific code in documentation.
  • Limitations: Manual operation can be time-consuming for large documents. This approach is best for individual fields rather than bulk processing.

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