Hi all. I ran into a new and strange issue (for me) today and hope you can help. I am formatting a document for a client, and, somehow, header text from an old version of the document is appearing on another user's screen (but not mine). Here are the details to clarify what I'm experiencing (I am on Word 2016, 365 edition for PC):

1. I format a document perfectly for User 1. This document is approved by a reviewer.



2. I get a new client with the same reviewer (User 2). I used User 1's document as a template and manually inserted User 2's material into it. I realize I can also "import styles" from User 1's document into User 2's document, but I have various reasons for doing it the other way, and for many years I have never had the issue I am explaining here (and there are pros and cons to both approaches). Anyway I only mention that because I'm sure someone will wonder why I didn't just important styles. .

3. Let's say User 1's document header originally read "User 1" on the left and had a page number to the right.

2. After inserting User 2's body material into the document (and of course "saving as" with a new file name), I changed the header text from User 1 to User 2. The document has several sections, so I made sure to update the header text in all sections.

3. I create an adobe pdf using Adobe Pro and send both the Word 2016 .docx file and the .pdf file to my client (User 2), who does not see an issue in either file. User 2 sends the document to the reviewer, who says she is seeing User 1's old heading text in User 2's Word copy (i.e., the header displays "User 1 + page number" rather than "User 2 + page number").

I do not know how this problem is occurring or how to prevent it. I thought that maybe it had something to do with the Normal.dot template, but I checked mine and I do not see a header that would transmit. So maybe something else?

Every section has three headers (and footers) whether or not you see them. They may be linked to hidden headers/footers in previous sections (which are not displayed).
Header/Footer Settings Recap

Here is a tool that can help you figure out what is going on (free download).
Word Toolkit for Advanced Management of Word Headers and Footers

Thanks so much for the reply Charles. Will give it a shot!

Just reporting back in case it helps others in the future--that tool worked very nicely (indeed, the hidden header had some unwanted text). Thanks again for the suggestion!.

You are welcome. The Word Toolkit for Advanced Management of Word Headers and Footers was developed by some very savvy people and not too many folks know about it.