If I change my figure cross-references to have non-breaking spaces will that prevent them from updating automatically in the future? I don't think it looks good when Figure and the figure number are on separate lines.

You put the non-breaking space in the caption. Then the cross-reference field will update to include the non-breaking space where it needs to be.

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Andrew Lockton
Chrysalis Design, Melbourne Australia

Would I have to do this manually for every caption? In publishing in general, would most people just let "Figure" and the figure number separate onto different lines in this situation? I figured it was the same as keeping numbers and their units (e.g. 5 cm) on the same line but maybe it's not.

Yes, you 'should' do it for every caption. Just in case there is a cross-ref to each one. It shouldn't be onerous to add by doing a search and replace.

In general most people don't know about non-breaking spaces and would have no idea what the issue is. For me, it bothers me when the Figure is separated from the actual number but the general population is less pedantic about things like this.

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Andrew Lockton
Chrysalis Design, Melbourne Australia