I have a substantial problem with word2010, which probably is a bug in the software itself. However, I hope it can be solved, but as I use a German version of word I might not get all the exact notations right for the English version of word. I have a document with chapters in it. In one chapter I want to cross-reference another chapter. I go to link/reference on the top menu and choose cross-reference (or similar). Here I insert the chapter number to another chapter, and it shows the correct chapter number (let's say '4'). Si far, so good. Now since the document is really large I use the navigation panel (default on left) which shows me the chapter structure of the document. Here I right-click on a chapter and insert a new chapter before the chapter I have referenced (let's say with the number '2'). This means the original chapter I am referencing to is now chapter '5' (because I inserted a new chapter between chapter '1' and '2'). But the reference itself still says chapter '4', even if I update all the document with F9 or by clicking. The cross-reference still says '4' although it should say '5', because of the newly inserted chapter. Maybe is there anything I am doing wrong? Why is the reference not updated?

Each cross-references makes use of a hidden bookmark that encloses the cross-referenced paragraph. It has been noted before that moving around headings in the Navigation pane messes up the bookmarks. What you have seen is probably part of that same bug. :-(

In addition, be aware of the following (which is by design): In the main body of the document, if you add content, or a new paragraph by pressing Enter, at the beginning of a bookmarked/cross-referenced paragraph, the bookmark expands to include the new content. Therefore you must always add content at the end of the preceding paragraph instead.

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Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional