page numbers = "ERROR MAIN DOCUMENT ONLY", bug with cross-referenc

[Guest]

I have a 200+ page doc, with 20+ sections. I am having problems with adding
cross-reference links in the headers, and instead get "ERROR MAIN DOCUMENT
ONLY".

I also get the same message when I try to add page numbers. It is NOT a mail
merge doc, and I stopped tracking changes with the toolbar icon, but Word
kept tracking them in the headers and footers. When I try to accept (or
reject) all changes, Word crashes every time.

Is my doc somehow corrupt, or can someone explain this to me?

Thanks.

 

[Daiya Mitchell]

I could make up a theory that your headers/footers have become corrupted, as
all errors are connected to them. This sounds vaguely possible. Complex
documents (like yours) also increases the chances of corruption.

ON A COPY of the your document, try these tips for fixing corruption:
http://www.mvps.org/word/FAQs/AppErrors/CorruptDoc.htm

Tracking Changes in headers/footers but not the main text definitely sounds
like corruption, as I don't think it's possible to get Word to do that in
the ordinary way of things.

Why do you need cross-references in the headers? What are they
cross-references to?

 

[Guest]

Thanks! I followed the link, and it told me to save the doc as a web page and
then back to a doc format. That fixed all the weirdness in the
headers/footers!

Bless you for your help!
~Amber

 

[Daiya Mitchell]

Glad that helped. Definitely a corrupt document then--that process
basically rebuilds it, which cleans it out.