If it is the appearance of a hyperlink you are after, then you will have to add the \* CHARFORMAT switch to each REF field and then apply the desired format to the field itself. (Without the switch, formatting may be lost as you update the fields.) See http://wordfaqs.ssbarnhill.com/Forma...htm#FormatFont.

As you have found, you'll need the "Insert as hyperlink" option to be checked for Word to create a cross-reference as a hyperlink. The setting applies only to the individual reference that you are inserting (but the option is enabled by default).

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Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional