Quick Field Editor

[Guest]

Sometimes I have to change many fields in MS Word. I usually "Toggle all
fields (Alt+F9)" or "Toggle each field individually (Sft+F9), and the proceed
to change the field command contents. However, when I toggle the field from
"actual representation" to "Edit", the format of the document is altered
(contents is pushed down, Tables and figures collapse, pages scrolls out of
focus etc...).

What I would find useful in word is to have a functionality similar to MS
Excel where: when the cursor enters the region of a field, the field command
is displayed in an editable textbox similar to the "Address" textbox on the
"Web" toolbar. The field command would not be displayed inline with the
text. Instead it would be displayed in the "Field Command TextBox" where I
can edit it and then when I press "Enter" or "apply" I see the result in my
document.


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[Daiya Mitchell]

Not that this is exactly a bad idea, but there are so many other things I
would give a higher priority.

Actually, I think in Word 2003 (maybe Word 2002), you can right-click and
choose Edit Field, which will let you edit the field without toggling? Not
totally sure, I don't have either of those versions.

 

[Guest]

Well, priority like everything else, is relative. However, I am aware
that my problem might be pretty unique.

The problem is that I find myself performing "right-click>Edit
Field...>Field Code" a lot! This is approximately 4-5 mouse clicks and
motions. With the options of showing the Field Code input Textbox as an
accessible toolbar item would tremendously increase my productivity at times.
e.g: Set focus on a field, move and click in toolbar text box, edit field on
the fly!

Perhaps this could be done programatically? I'm not sure. I'll try to ask
in the Programming section. Anyhow, this is just a suggestion as I think it
should be a piece of cake to implement for the developers and a customizable
option for users which shouldn't affect those who don't need it.

 

[Daiya Mitchell]

You might be able to record the process of bringing up the Edit Field dialog
in a macro, if there is not a predefined command in Tools | Customize. That
would at least get it down to one click or one key combo.

I give this low priority because it seems to me the only reason to use an
Edit Field textbox instead of the toggle field codes option is to prevent
the format from temporarily wigging out. Otherwise, most everything you say
applies to shift-F9, it seems. And keystrokes are usually faster or as fast
as mouseclicks.

And since I never worry about format until I'm ready to print, it's hard to
me to see that reason as particularly strong. But that's just my opinion,
of course. And I don't know anything about programming, so no idea how
hard or easy it would be to implement.

Anyhow, people can vote for the suggestion. I didn't go vote "I disagree"
or anything.

 

[Guest]

Well, I tampered with some VBA code and managed to solve my problem. I find
it more natural to edit the field codes in Excel-style. Indeed, one of the
reasons is the change in page layout that happens when I use Shft+F9 or
Alt+F9. Sometimes I find myself having to scroll to the location of the
field since word has lost focus on the field of interest upon toggling the
field.

Anyhow, I have posted my quick fix under the "Programming" section of this
community in case someone is looking for such a feature.