Using Word 365, I have a thesis with hundreds of existing figures with their captions. I need to create a list of figures, which requires that the captions be inserted with Insert Caption. So I have to re-create every caption using Insert Caption. I'd like to automate this, so I'm trying to use AutoCaption.
However, the list of items I can autocaption doesn't include figures. Two questions: Does AutoCaption work only when I insert a figure, not for existing figures? and What can I check in the list of autocaption items to caption figures?

The AutoCaption feature adds captions as you create certain types of objects; that is correct.

In most cases, creating the captions manually would be safer, I believe. It would certainly give you more control.

__________________
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional

Thanks, Stefan. I ended up using Insert Caption, so the captions would be recognized by the Figure Table generator. But Insert Caption supplies a caption number, like "Figure 56" for the 56th figure in the document, but the figure number should have been like "Figure 4.22". Deleting the "56" from the generated number would prevent the Figure Table generator from recognizing the caption, so I had to use Format Hidden to hide the "56", then type "4.22" before the caption text. It's a kluge, but the only way I could correct the generated figure number.

See Add chapter numbers to captions in Word - Microsoft Support

Assuming that your chapters are numbered with the built-in heading styles, you can add chapter numbering via the Caption dialog box, as Italophile suggested.

__________________
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional

I've just worked out the correct solution for the numbering problem, and am applying it now. It involved ensuring that the Heading 1 for each chapter heading was formatted to autonumber properly.