I am using 365 in Windows 10. For years I have been using documents with fields that I jump from one to another sequentially using F11. Suddenly, I am no longer able to see the cursor when I do that, although if I toggle the fields to display using F9, the field brackets appear and I can see the cursor toggling from one to the next. I have noticed this only recently, and I do know that there was a Windows 10 update 6/11/2021. Does anyone else have this problem? Is it related to the recent Windows 10 update??



Thanks
Ken K

Workaround: Change your advanced display option to shade fields when selected.
File > Options > Advanced > Show Document Content

Thanks for your response. When I tried to select "Field Shading" without having opened any document, the document, the options in Show document content are grayed out. When a document is selected, I am able to select any of the three options, but none shows the cursor moving from field to field to field; it is only if I display the field brackets with Alt-F9 that the brackets display and the I can see each field as I move from field to field.... Hmmmm...

Attached Images

fields.jpg (27.4 KB, 16 views)

I thought I had attached an example of the fields, but I am not sure it displayed...

You really should be using Content Controls for this stuff unless you have people running on pre-ribbon versions of Word.
While the insertion point may not be showing up with the field shading should tip you off as to location.
Create a Form Using Word Content Controls by Greg Maxey

Hi. I am my own IT department (Hmmm.... my edited response did not post--lemme try again). i am my own IT department. I use 365 and my wife and transcriptionist use Word 2010. What I do not understand, to repeat my original post, is why I should suddenly have lost the function of seeing my cursor as it jumped from field to field using F11. (If I show the fields with F9, I can jump from brackets to brackets without any problem). If I am unable to restore the function I lost (possibly related to a recent "update" to Windows 10), then it looks like I need to consider implementing Word Content Controls per "Create a Form Using Word Content Controls" by Greg Maxey IF it is compatible with Word 2010.

Thanks
Ken K

I am a fellow user. I've given you one way to work around this. That is making shading of fields active for the selected field.

I have no idea why you are seeing what you are seeing. Microsoft keeps messing with us trying to "improve" things. In addition, other programs, called Add-Ins, make changes on a regular and unannounced basis to Word. Inless you are very unusual, you have Add-Ins, even if you did not intentionally install any.

You and your wife would be ahead, regardless of resolving this issue, using Content Controls.

If neither the work-around nor using Content Controls work for you, try starting Word in safe mode and see if the problem is the same. That is a diagnostic step to work on troubleshooting.
Open Office apps in safe mode on a Windows PC - Microsoft Office

I appreciate your help. I did a chat with MS including having an agent log into my PC to show the agent the issue. After deleting a normal.dotm and other files, and repairing the Office 365 install, there was no change. He said he would pass it on to engineers and they would get back to me (I am not holding my breath). The Alt-F9 workaround is painless, and once I get some time to understand Content Controls , I am sure that will help. I see that there are various types of controls in the Development ribbon option, and I want to learn how each one is valuable.

Thanks again,
Ken K

Are you related to the person who posted here: In Word, when the bookmarks are visible, the F11 key jumps to each - Microsoft Community?
Since you have not provided a sample document, which would help, could you at least press Alt+F9 show what your page looks like?

Ha! No, no relation, but the problem that she is describing appears to be the same as mine...

I had not seen a request for a file. I have attached one. If you press, Alt-F9, you will display the fields and will be able to move from one to the next using F11. If you try to use F11 to jump from field to field, you will find the cursor in the last field at the end of the first sentence.

Thanks

Attached Files

___CXR 0-1 POS-NEG asbestos positive negative-new PII Removed.docx (20.5 KB, 4 views)

I removed your personal information from the attachment. You can repost it if you want but the Internet lasts a long time.

Like the poster in the other thread, my cursor simply disappears. I have no explanation for this. I have never used blank undefined fields like this. For some reason, perhaps that these are not defined fields but simply blank, your fields do not shade even when selected or when "always" is used as the option. You should not be using Word with field codes displayed. That is for development of forms and for troubleshooting.

When appropriate, I have used Macrobutton Prompt fields. Those do work in all versions of Word since at least Word 97.

• MacroButton Field
• MacroButton Prompt Add-In

I think MacroButton Prompts are great; in my opinion, they have been superceded by Content Controls for most purposes. Content Controls are much easier to maintain for most people.


Attached is your form, with some simple Content Controls at the start. Those that should be in a table are in a borderless table. I selected the area with the Content Controls and "grouped" them. You can use the Tab key to move from one to the other.

4. Use Tables and Tabs to Arrange Text in Microsoft Word

Attached Files

___CXR 0-1 POS-NEG asbestos positive negative-new.docx (28.9 KB, 5 views)

I suspect that both you and Petra in the other thread got your forms from a common source who developed them without a real understanding of Word, probably converting them from Word Perfect forms.

Thanks for removing my personal information. I did not think to do that. You did such a good job removing the info, though, that I no longer see my file ;-). Also, I don't see the form that you revised--when you have a chance, please re-upload it.

I am pleased that you were able to duplicate the issue that I (and Petra presumably) am (are) having so that you understand the issue.

WRT to where I got my forms, I created my own years ago--I don't know Petra or where she received hers. It is clear where I will be spending my next day/s off---learning about how to revise my 8 templates!!

Thanks,
Ken K
P.S. Speaking of WordPerfect, I liked that program especially for one feature it had that Word does not. I recall being able to use keystrokes to show the background functions and to correct those that were incorrect. Word never had that feature...

I'm not sure what you mean by "use keystrokes to show the background functions." You may mean "Reveal codes." Word has an equivalent.
Word's Reveal Formatting Codes
Word for Wordperfect Users

In the other thread, Word MVP Stefan Blom posted a macro that converts blank fields (which are the source of your problem) into MacroButton fields. That works on your form.

Instructions for Installing Macros from Forums or Websites by Graham Mayor, MVP
By the way, I do not know what happened to the attachments but I've re-attached them.

Thanks. Yes, it was Reveal Codes that I missed years and years ago when I converted to Word.

And thanks for the macro!