I have a document with numerous endnotes and cross references to endnotes. The document has been formatted and modified in 2010 but is being saved in 2003 compatability mode as a docx file. The field codes for the cross references are in the format of { NOTEREF _Ref123456789 \h \* MERGEFORMAT}. When I close and reopen the file, the file displays correctly still and the field codes are not modified in any way. Cross references are in the proper format.

Then I e mail the file to my co worker who has 2007 on her computer. The file displays correctly on her computer as well. She modifies the file and sends it back to me.

I open the file my co worker sent me. Some of the cross references are not formatted correctly. It appears the formatting has "slipped off". Looking at the field codes, SOME of the affected fields have an added \f switch. This happened for an unknown reason and the fields were not modified in any way by my co worker. The section of the document that my co worker modified did not involve a cross reference, endnote or anything. I do not think the \f being added is the reason why the cross references are displaying odd.

What could cause this and how do I prevent the formatting of cross references from "slipping off"?

The \f switch means that the formatting of the footnote number is reflected in the cross-reference, so it probably explains what you are seeing.

__________________
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional

Thank you for your reply Stefan. I have been waiting for this document to get back to me again and see what has happened. Once again the formatting has "slipped off" of some of the cross references. Looking at the field codes, there wasn't an f switch inserted by someone else's computer. I understand what the f switch does but didn't understand why it was randomly inserted when I got a document back from my co worker. I do not understand why the format of the cross references to the endnotes would change. Could it be related to the 2007 compatibility setting “Use Word 2002 – 2007 style evaluation rules for font size and paragraph justification in tables”?

I don't see how the option you mention could be relevant to this issue...

Are you sure that your co-worker isn't reformatting the cross-references in any way? It does seem to be the most likely explanation right now.

__________________
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional

I think you are correct that my co worker must of re formatted the document in some way. Just got the document back again and the formatting stuck. Thank you for your help with this Stefan.

I hope you can get to the bottom with the problem soon... :-(

__________________
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional

Me too. Next time I get my hands on the document, I will post another update. Hurry up and wait. Lol.