I'm writing a textbook using Word 2016. It's divided into 12 chapters and includes graphics and screenshots with captions that include the chapter heading. For example, in the attached pdf "ExtractPage1" the first caption islabelled Figure 3-13. The second image caption is labelled Figure 3-16 (instead of Figure 3-14). The third image caption is Figure 3-19 (instead of Figure 3-15).



The chapter numbers (Figure 3) are labelled correctly, but even when I right-click and select update, the image numbers -13, -16, -19 are not labelled in sequential order. After 3 days of web researching, I'm totally stumped. Help me, PLEASE Help!!!

Attached Files

ExtractPage1.pdf (281.3 KB, 12 views)

Hello. This is very unusual.
Captions are fields that include a SEQ field.
Try selecting all three captions and pressing F9 to update the fields.

If you press Alt+F9 you can see what these fields look like. It should look something like this.
00 deleteme 1.png

What are you seeing?
Remember to toggle the view of the field codes back.

When I toggle on, my SEQ field codes look correct, so I'm not sure what change. Attaching screenshot of SEQ codes. Even after selection all 3 and Alt + F9, when I toggle off, still reads: Figure 3-13, Figure 3-16 and Figure 3-19.

Thought I was using SEQs correctly, and cannot figure this out. I'm on Chapter 3 of 12, there's 9 more chapters of screenshots to finish, and my deadline is fast approaching.

Attached Images

2018-02-23_8-41-21.png (67.8 KB, 18 views)

With field codes displayed, try searching for SEQ and see if there are some perhaps underneath your images or otherwise hidden.

Did Ctrl+F for "SEQ" and no luck. Thanks for the suggestion though.

With codes displayed, you should have found your visible captions. Is that what you mean by "no luck?"

You should have had the same number of words found as you have captions unless you are using SEQ fields for something else.

You may have to change the SEQ identifier for your captions.
Try a replace with field codes displayed.

Find text: "SEQ Figure " (without the quotation marks)
Replacement text: "SEQ Figure2 "

Do the replacements using the Replace Next button rather than all and step through them one at a time.

Thanks, but it didn't work. Seems like it's 'stuck' to count 13, then skip to 16 and continue sequentially.

Really appreciate your time with this Charles. I'm back to searching the web til we find a solution.

Is there a possibility that the SEQ fields have been locked (CTRL+F11). This would prevent them updating.

To unlock the field highlight it then apply CTRL+SHIFT+F11. Then F9 to update.

If you want, send me a couple of pages that include your figures and SEQ fields and I'll look at it. Make sure that the excerpt has the same problem.

Send to wordfaq[at]addbalance[dot]com with a link to this question.
If you want to open it up to community input, instead put in on OneDrive or DropBox and post a link here.