I have a large document template (35-40 pages) containing dozens of sample contract provisions and clauses. Whenever I need to preapre a contract, I load the template, delete the clauses that do not apply, and create the contract.

Sometimes, I'm not sure whether I will need a particular clause, so I change it to hidden (Ctrl+Shift+H). When I print the document or convert it to a PDF to send out, the hidden clauses do not show, but they are still there if I need them.

A few weeks ago, I got the bright idea to hide all of the clauses in the template and only unhide them as I need them.

This has caused an unpleasant side effect. The cursor tends to jump around the document. Sometimes it jumps to the end of the document, sometimes to the first unhidden paragraph, sometimes to locations that appear random.

The behavior is most likely when extending or shortening the selection using the cursor arrows. For example, if I want to unhide several paragraphs, I typically place the cursor at the start of the first one and use Ctrl+DoWn Arrow to select the collection. If the selection gets part of the next paragraph and I then (still holding Ctrl), use Left Arrow to deselect a line or part of a line, the cursor will jump somewhere.



It doesn't happen every time and it seems to go in phases. It will do it every time for awhile, then it won't do it at all for awhile.

Help!

Rather than using hidden text clauses, consider using AutoText stored in the document's template.

Automated Boilerplate Using Microsoft Word
Building Blocks & AutoText

I've tried autotext in the past and was never able to get it to work as well as hidden text. I will read these articles to see if there's anything new. But hidden text works very well for what I need and it is very simple. I just want it to work like it's supposed to.

Does anyone know why it is behaving this way and, more importantly, how to make it behave properly?