Add Table Captions to Document Before Adding Tables?

[dylane]

When writing a document we almost always insert tables and figures as the
very last step. The way we do this now we put in the Table Title as the
placeholder, then when we go and insert the table we erase the placeholder
title and use the insert caption tool to create a caption, rewrite the table
title, and then go and find all the places in the document to create cross
references (which are somewhat pointless at this point, as the document
should be locked by the time a table is inserted, so there won't be worries
about renumbering tables).

Is there some way to create the caption and cross reference before the
tables are inserted, and then "link" the table to the caption when it is
inserted?

 

[Stefan Blom]

Simply add the table captions via Insert | Reference | Caption (Word 2003)
or References tab | Insert Caption (Word 2007). You can create
cross-references to the captions as desired.

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

But be very careful, when inserting the table or figure, not to get it
inside the caption bookmark. To prevent this, DO NOT press Enter at the
beginning of the caption to make a paragraph for the table or figure.
Instead, press Enter at the end of the preceding paragraph. Better still,
leave an empty paragraph for later insertion of the figure/table. (And
note, of course, that the table doesn't actually need a paragraph, but you
will need to insert one anyway to keep the table from getting inside the
caption bookmark; you can delete it after inserting the table.)

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
http://word.mvps.org

 

[Stefan Blom]

Good point.

--
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

But be very careful, when inserting the table or figure, not to get it
inside the caption bookmark. To prevent this, DO NOT press Enter at the
beginning of the caption to make a paragraph for the table or figure.
Instead, press Enter at the end of the preceding paragraph. Better still,
leave an empty paragraph for later insertion of the figure/table. (And
note, of course, that the table doesn't actually need a paragraph, but you
will need to insert one anyway to keep the table from getting inside the
caption bookmark; you can delete it after inserting the table.)

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
http://word.mvps.org