Hi all,

I have an existing Word document that is templated and numbered etc. I also have a sub-document that contains its own headings and numbering.



I need to insert this sub-document to the main document in full, but prevent it from becoming a part of the master document's numbering system and to maintain its own numbering. Sometimes this sub-document will need editing.

I tried to use Insert > Object but this only displays one page and I need to display them all. I understand this is a built-in limitation.

Any alternative ideas are much appreciated.

How did you set up numbering, in the "master" and in the "subdocument"? If both files are using style-based numbering, and they are using the same styles, numbers will change as you combine the documents.

__________________
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional

Generally, the best way to use the Master Document "feature" in Word, especially Word 2003 is NOT.

If you are really using this, rather than just using the terminology, I urge you to read Master Documents Feature in Microsoft Word and the pages it links to before you spend any more time on your document. Some key words:

John McGhie: "there are two kinds of Master Documents: Those that are corrupt and those that will be corrupt soon." It was reported fixed in Word 2007, but "The jury is in: The Master Document feature in Word 2010 remains word processing's answer to Conan the Destroyer. Use it only if you enjoy pain and frustration." Microsoft Word 2010 Bible by Herb Tyson, MVP. "Since its inception, the Master Documents feature has been a bit quirky and buggy, and that fact hasn't changed with Word 2010, unfortunately." Microsoft Word 2010 In Depth by Faithe Wempen, p. 681

None of these folks are given to hyperbole.

I strongly agree with Charles here. If you are referring to the master document feature (I assumed you were not!), then stop using it.

__________________
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional

I warmly second the wise words from Charles and Stefan!

Comment on Insert > Object: Word 2010 for Dummies suggests Insert > Text > Object > Text from file. I don't know whether this is the same as the 2003 Insert > Object you mention, or a refinement 2003 doesn't offer.

I would venture to question your requirement to maintain the sub-document's own numbering when yoiu insert it into a main document. Sounds to me as the though the hapless reader is going to be confronted with two unrelated numbering systems and (worst case) duplicate numbers. If it's going to be that separate, why struggle with "master document"?

When I reuse chapters in my documents (not in Word, so not with the "master document" feature) I set them to continue numbering from their context: so a standard chapter on Safety that might be chapter 4 in one book becomes chapter 6 in another. This has no impact on the Safety chapter, which I can edit as often as I want, and does not break numbering in the book.

Dear all,

Thanks for your replies - luckily I didn't combine any documents yet! It's all food for thought

I was tasked with this using work systems (hence Windows XP and Office 2003) and soon realised that it wasn't a good thing to try and do this.

However, they are adament that they want these documents set up this way. Usually it goes something like:

See the legal section below:
====Sub document=====
Section 1 XXX

As these long documents will be printed, the sub-sections have to be shown.

I think I will try to persuade them to use annexes instead

You can insert entire documents using the INCLUDETEXT field.

Far better!