I am using MS Word to write a technical book. Because it is long (300-400 pages), it is divided into a few files. I also use Mathtype for equations. It works relatively well on single chapter level. However, occasionally I need reference a numerical item (Chapter/Sections) or a Figure, a formula number, and etc. I know I can combining them in a single master document but it will be very long. My question is that if it is possible to reference an item in another documents without combining them. It doesn't need auto update. Manual update is fine from time to time.


Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Don't use a master document! the classic comment is "a master document has only two states: corrupt, or about to be corrupt".

As for what you should do, I'll have to leave that to more knowledgeable contributors, and watch the thread to learn from it; I don't use Word for your type of document.

What do you use for this type documents? I know Latex will work well but it will take my focus away from writing.
I understand what are you saying about master document. Unfortunately without other choices I have no other choices but use it. I found that if I hide subdocuments before save and keep backup often, it is in generally o.k.

You can use INCLUDETEXT fields to bring in content from several individual files into a "parent" document. After you have edited an individual file, you can update the "parent" document by selecting the INCLUDETEXT fields and pressing F9. Conversely, you can save changes made in the field result back to the referenced file via Ctrl+Shift+F7.

You'll find more information on INCLUDETEXT in the article at http://word.mvps.org/faqs/tblsfldsfm...textfields.htm, but note that this articled may not be updated for recent versions of Word.

To insert an INCLUDETEXT field, you use the Insert as Link command in the Insert File dialog box. To display the dialog box in Word 2007 or later, click the Insert tab, click the arrow on the Object button, and finally click Text from File.

__________________
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional

Thanks for that tip, Stefan – I suddenly remember that's what I used to do thirty years ago, when I was using Word every day; good to hear it's still available.

Since twinclouds asked, I'll mention that I use one of two tools for documentation these days: FrameMaker, which is pretty well an extension of my nervous system by now, and XML Mind. FM is expensive, but the company understand it's the tool for the job; XML Mind (output formats including .rtf, .odt and .pdf) is less expensive, but needs the user to adopt a structured approach such as DITA.

For what it's worth, I believe the RD field, which lets you reference multiple separate documents in a single file, for the purpose of creating a table of contents, is even older. :-)

__________________
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional

Now that's one I'd never even heard of!