I'm pulling my hair out over content controls repeated multiple times across a template, bound to a custom XML part, that are neither updating properly nor in the same manner when I test with copies of the same template.



Template Details

• The template is set up for Different First and Different Odd/Even pages.
• There are eight content controls, all bound to a custom XML part.
• All CCs are plain text, except one date picker.
• Except for two CCs on the first page, all are in headers/footers.
• Seven of the eight CCs appear on every page (one CC isn't on the first page).

Problem Details

• When I enter data into all CCs on a single page, i.e., all entered via an Odd or all via an Even, all CCs correctly populate all other instances in the file. BUT...
• With one version of the template:
  • In the Even Page Footer, which has three CCs, when I populate them, the THIRD one populated does NOT update elsewhere in the document.
  • Changing the order in which I add text doesn't yield a different result: it's always the last one that doesn't update elsewhere.
  • In a First Page Footer, which has five CCs, when I populate them, the FIFTH one does NOT populate in elsewhere in the document.
• With another version, which is simply a copy of the prior, I get the same behavior, EXCEPT in the Odd Page Footer, the fifth of five CCs DOES update elsewhere.
• With yet another version, again, simply a copy, all three of Even Page Footer CCs populate elsewhere, but the fifth of five CCs in the Odd Page Footer do NOT populate.
• And with still another version...everything works as it should.

In the screenshot, the header/footer content is nearly entirely CCs. "EPH" means the CC was filled in in an Even Page Header; "FPF" is "First Page Footer"; "OPF" is Odd Page Footer. The numbers are the fill-in order. Each of the three shots is based on a different copy of the same template.

I'm at a loss -- any light you can shed on the problem would be greatly appreciated.

If it helps, and you're so inclined, you can easily view the XML with OOXML Tools, a Chrome/Edge extension that allows you to drag the template into your browser and view the package; no zipping.

Thank you.

Attached Images

2022-12-16_22-38-34.png (54.8 KB, 15 views)

Attached Files

31-2 CC Testing.dotx (65.1 KB, 6 views)