A few experiments further, it seems that Word has indeed decided I don't want to see the visible characteristics of the Hyperlink style on my cross-references … even though the Font panel says they are being applied! [no screenshot, because corporate policies block Dropbox; I'll try and add one later]

I'm not impressed. I think I'm old enough to decide for myself what visible clues I want to give my readers. Also, if examining formats tells me certain properties are set then those are the properties the document should display.

What you can do is add the \* CHARFORMAT switch to your REF fields and then format the field code in the desired color (but not using the Hyperlink style, which won't work, as you have seen). However, this will be time-consuming.

As Paul suggested, you could rethink this and use actual hyperlinks instead, assuming that you don't need the updated text of a cross-reference.

__________________
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional

Thanks, Stefan – I have indeed given up on this and recreated the table with hyperlinks. There were too many other problems with using bookmarks …

OK, thank you for the follow-up.

__________________
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional