Master documents and field codes

[Guest]

I am using Word 2003 and trying to edit a large masterdocument and
subdocument that was created in an earlier version of Word. I am finding
that everytime I open a subdocument from the masterdocument the ASK fields
that are in the subdocument read as an "Error, reference source not found!"
message.

I have tried reinstating the bookmarks, the ASK fields, editing the REF
field etc. I am not having any success. Do you need to have view Field
Codes on automatically before you open the subdocument (at the moment I go in
and ask to view field codes after I have opened the subdocument from the
masterdocument). Can someone suggest a way to get rid of the error messages?

Thanks

 

[Charles Kenyon]

Never, ever, edit the content of a subdocument from the Master Document
view.

Sorry, I don't have an answer because I don't use Master Documents. However,
you may need the reason I don't more than you need an answer. "Master
Document" is a term of art in Word referring to a "feature" that not only
doesn't work but also destroys documents. The consensus (with the limited
exception of Steve Hudson) among those offering advice on these newsgroups
is that using the Master Document feature is a good way to destroy your
document. It can destroy parts of your document that you are not even
working on! I think John McGhie said it succinctly when he said that there
are two kinds of Master Documents: Those that are corrupt and those that
will be corrupt soon. See
http://www.addbalance.com/word/masterdocuments.htm for information on the
Master Document feature and workarounds. See
http://www.mvps.org/word/FAQs/General/WhyMasterDocsCorrupt.htm for more
information on what goes wrong, and
http://www.mvps.org/word/FAQs/General/RecoverMasterDocs.htm for ideas on how
to salvage what you can. See
http://www.techwr-l.com/techwhirl/magazine/technical/masterdocs.doc for
Steve Hudson's instructions if you are willing to follow them very
carefully.

--

Charles Kenyon

Word New User FAQ & Web Directory: http://addbalance.com/word

Intermediate User's Guide to Microsoft Word (supplemented version of
Microsoft's Legal Users' Guide) http://addbalance.com/usersguide

See also the MVP FAQ: http://www.mvps.org/word which is awesome!
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