Repeat text in MS Word Using Document Property content controls

[@rhondazaiontz1349]

After hours and multiple days of sheer frustration, YOUR video told me (and very quickly, concisely and simply) exactly what I have been searching for. Thank you so much!

[@richardbryanesq]

I was searching for more than a week to figure out how to do this; nobody else has addressed this question, so thank you so much. I'm very grateful for the time you've spent making this video. It's frustrating this functionality is not available in the Mac version; very frustrating, and even more so because there's no way to know the functionality isn't in Word for Mac as someone is searching and searching for this feature. I guess I'll buy Parallels and I think I get multiple installs of Word with my original purchase. Thanks again.

[@philgibbons7516]

Hi, thanks for sharing, I found it very helpful. I just wanted to share with you - In the video, you were able to change the Title, "Abstract" from Developer tab->Properties but the word "Abstract" remained in the body of the box until you typed the name "Jane Doe". You can also change this by switching on Design Mode, as you do at he end of the video, and editing the text in the center of the box. This text will become the default label whenever the box is empty. Thanks again.

[@TownsendTek]

+Phil Gibbons Thank you. That is fantastic! I always struggled with changing the default text manually (because it turns into regular black text). I never thought to try changing it while in Developer mode.

[@ncornor]

I cannot thank you enough! What do you do for a living? I may hire you.

[@lauriestewart4680]

Imagine how thrilled I was when I Googled this question and found YOUR answer! Thank you!! You are THE BEST! When I was asked this question I told the user, yes there is a way, and I know people that know (thinking of you), but it may not be that simple. Thanks for making it simple and thank you for sharing!

[@TownsendTek]

+Laurie Stewart Hey @laurie Stewart. Small world! I am planning to start doing a lot more of these. BTW, there is a free utility that will map regular (non-properties) content controls so they update like the properties do. It might be more complex than what most students want, but you could definitely use it to design forms. That way you are not limited to using the built in properties. dbe.codeplex.com

[@KatbotZ]

Laura. You're the best. Spent hours trying to figure this out and you helped me in less than 2 minutes. I'm so grateful!

[@TownsendTek]

Thank you! I'm so glad it helped!

[@Fastnewsletters-posts]

Great solution! My clients are now able to save a few more minutes by not having to manually fill in their repeated data inside each newsletter. I had tried using form controls for this, but didn't want to protect the document.

[@TownsendTek]

+Fast Real Estate Newsletters $9/mo. - yeah, especially a newsletter they will want to be able to edit the document anywhere. Glad it worked for your clients!

[@401knowledge]

6 years later and this was still helpful - thank you!

[@richardbryanesq]

So I installed VirtualBox on my Mac; purchased a copy of Windows 10 and MS Word, and the Quick Parts function is working as described. Thanks again. It seems you're limited to a maximum of 15 possible auto-completed fields. I wonder why MS wouldn't allow a user to create their own and multiple additional Quick Parks fields.

[@murilofernandes3492]

You've saved my day today! Thanks! God bless you and your family!

[@MrGeekGamer]

Took a while to find a simple example of how to do this, but this was spot on. Great work!

[@TownsendTek]

MrGeekGamer Thanks, Glad it helped!

[@ThurayaMP]

Laura Leader - Law Office Solution Донбассе

[@rkg77777]

THANKS A LOT...I AM SEARCHING THIS FROM 2 DAYS,,,FINALLY I FOUND IT.. THANKS A LOT

[@TownsendTek]

Glad you finally found it, you're welcome!

[@itismycountry]

well well.... I never leave comments. but for this video here goes!well done first of all. very clear and concise. as you spoke, I edited my form and could not believe it was so easy. I simply highlighted the word that I wanted to repeat in my letter, clicked on insert on the top bar, quick parts, doc property,company (for example) then paste. that was easyyyyyyyyyy! ty

[@TownsendTek]

+Varun Maharajh Awesome! For some reason I am just seeing your comment today. (Apparently I need to learn KZbin once I'm done teaching Word. ;-) Anyhow, it's great to hear the tutorial was easy to follow and worked well for you!

[@Abdulrahman_Hi]

Thank you so much. Content on the internet is over complicated, and you are a savior!

[@devildawgsoldier]

Thanks goodness. Thank you. Ive been looking for a video like this for like 4 hours now.

[@RoseGarlandWidell]

So helpful. I've been working in Word for decades and didn't know about that clipboard feature. Thanks!

[@TownsendTek]

I even forget about the clipboard feature myself most of the time. But when you need it, it's very handy!

[@jakes1318]

I agree. I spent two days to get to here! Works great.. Thanks.

[@GoldnBrwnSkn]

The simplest instructions on how to do this I've found yet!

[@erictreptow763]

Very helpful. Struggled with this for a few hours until I found you video. Thanks!!!

[@MrGroovyTowel]

Thanks you Laura!

[@TownsendTek]

My Pleasure!

[@NOMIZYGOUS]

It is absolutely amazing. No other has told about functionality. I was searching for so long and i cudnot find exact search terms fir that

[@saifnasser2942]

thanks you Laura All my work on Microsoft Word, and I have a lot of Repeats I thank you with all my heart you make my work best I really do not know how to thank you :-)

[@TownsendTek]

You are very welcome. I'm so glad it helped!

[@MelodieKate]

As always Laura - your instructions are so clear and easy to follow. Thank you!

[@drewlukas9127]

This was awesome! I'm using content controls to automatically write a report, repeating specific words throughout a document. I have an issue when I try to share the document with my boss. He's not able to get the content controls to work. He'll write something in the originating content control but it will not repeat where it should throughout the document. Is there a special way one should share a doc with content controls? Thank you in advance ")

[@TownsendTek]

Hi, Is it possible he's using Word 2003 or older? Or saving the document in compatibility mode (as a .doc file instead of .docx)? The content controls did not exist until Word 2007. If that's not the issue, what happens if you share the document with someone else?

[@drewlukas9127]

Law Office Solution I know everyone at our firm works on Word 2010. Whenever I share the document with someone, whether it be via email, shared drive, zip file, etc.., the content controls stop working. Is there a specific file type I should save the document as? I've tried to save as a docx, a template, and a macro enabled doc. Then when someone else opens it, the content controls (simple text or rich text) will allow you to type inside of the control field but will not repeat the text below where the link to the control is supposed to be. I really appreciate your reply. I’ve worked with our IT group at my company and nobody has worked with content controls.

[@TownsendTek]

Drew Lukas That is really weird. .docx should be fine. If you want to email a copy to me I will look at it and see if I can find anything odd - [e-mail]. You don't have a metadata removal tool that might be stripping something out of it, do you? I just sent a doc with content controls from myself to another computer and it worked fine. That is using the document property content controls, like this video shows, not just any old content controls.

[@drewlukas9127]

Law Office Solution I guess I'm not using document property content controls. This was my process: I clicked the developer tab. Then I clicked on Drop-Down List Content Control. These drop down controls are ideal as the purpose of this document is to change a sentence in a report by simply selecting the correct option above in the Drop-Down List Content Control. Do you know how I could get this to work? I can definitely send you my document if that would help you visualize my intent.

[@TownsendTek]

Drew Lukas Sorry, but it doesn't work that way. It requires programming/configuration to link the content controls to each other. Check out this website - this guy has a free tool that will do what you want: gregmaxey.mvps.org/word_tip_pages/content_control_tools.html I have a piece of software I'm developing that will do what you want and make it a little simpler, but it won't be free and it's at least a month away from being ready.

[@juniorkingshabi]

Awesome. I was looking for this for a month. Finally!

[@conmcdon]

Although changing the content's title under "Content Control Properties" changes the text displayed above the inserted document property, Word still thinks of that text as a reflection of the document's actual property and will update the file's metadata accordingly. Fields, however, do not automatically update when the text in one field instance is modified. Is there a way to add a custom Document Property to the Document Property dropdown menu under Quick parts? That is, to add an automatically updating piece of text without altering the metadata.

[@kamalhansdah5419]

Finally I found my solution, thanks. U use only 2 document property, can I use 40-45 different document property ???

[@TownsendTek]

There are only a few doucment property available (14 I think) but you can make your own xml mapped content controls. It is more steps but it is not difficult. Watch this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/haWpmXyngJWam8U Good luck.

[@nilslarsen1052]

Thank you very much for the tutorial. I found it very helpful. One question for you: I have 3 different DATE fields that each repeat (Start Date-A, Start Date-B, and Completion Date). I cannot get the 3 Date Controls ("Publish Date" in the Quick Parts Document Property menu) to be independent of one another. I added a "Publish Date" control, changed the name and tag, then copy and pasted in several locations, then I added another "Publish Date", changed the name and tag to unique names, copy and pasted in several locations, and then did the last one similarly. They are all populating as if there were only one Date Control. Is it not possible to have more than one different Date Control/Picker?? I really need to have the 3 different repeating dates. How do I remedy this dire situation? Thank you so much in advance for your help! Best, Nils Larsen

[@TownsendTek]

Hi @Nils Larsen, correct, when you are using the document properties, there is only one date content control available and it will show the same data regardless of what you rename it. (All the fields property content controls are like that, renaming them doesn't actually make them different.) HOWEVER - You can make and map your own content controls in Word 2013 and 2016 for a PC (not for a Mac). Your question inspired me so I looked up that process and made a video for it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/haWpmXyngJWam8U. Sorry it's a bit long winded, I'll try to add a table of contents to the description area soon.

[@MeDanTube]

This is fantastic.... but sadly no 'design mode' in the developer ribbon in the Mac word!! Can someone please put up a link to a doc with them made with blank spaces or _____ so I can copy them off for use? Thanks

[@TownsendTek]

MeDanTube what exactly are you asking for when you say "with them made with with blank spaces or ____" ? Are you asking for the document properties? If so, does Mac have Insert, QuickParts, Document Property? If so, you can insert them that way.

[@Space.854.]

First thank you works great! But still have a prob is it possible to have different front for the same abstract repeat text like my first client name is bold but in other space I want it to be regular.

[@TownsendTek]

+Marie S This should not be a problem. I just put the Abstract content control in my document in 4 places, then I formatted each one differently and when I change the text in any one of them, the text changes for all, but each content control retains the unique formatting I applied to it. Is something different happening on your computer?

[@Space.854.]

Don't know how or why but it's working now thank you great video really help me!

[@TownsendTek]

+Marie S That's great. Yeah, I have seen a few inexplicable behaviors with these properties that suddenly "self-healed." Another user had content controls that would not update, but when we added more, they did update, and then seemed to work from then on. All I can imagine is something funky happens in the document. Sometimes starting over in a clean document solves all and you never do know what was wrong.

[@sivanweizmann7990]

This is great. Except for when you have a Mac since there is no quick parts on Mac....

[@TownsendTek]

I know, I know! More and more people want to use Word for Mac. I hope they enhance things! BTW, if you set a document up on a Word for Windows computer with content controls, it will work on the mac. I've not tested the built in properties, but I did a video (link below) on using mapped content controls in general. If you can get your hands on a windows version or have someone set your document up for you, then it should work on Word for Mac. kzbin.info/www/bejne/haWpmXyngJWam8U

[@leamanrique]

Thank you, Laura. It helps a lot

[@StevenByrne1987]

Hi Laura, this is brilliant thank you very much. I have a formatting question i need help with please? I follow the method above to create a title page, i also want select details to appear on the header on following pages. However, i would like to use a different colour/font size. If i change one it changes both. The only way i can get round this is with a drop down which would not work for a few of my fields. Any suggestions? Thank you.

[@blackat013]

in developer mode, you can apply a style to each of the content control individually (choose different styles). You can also apply or crate a new style from the dialogue box

[@TownsendTek]

Hi Steven I'm sorry I am just now seeing this question. Is this still a problem? It should not be happening. If you use RICH TEXT content controls when you format one, it formats all the matching ones. But the document properties used in this video are plain text and you should be able to format different copies of the same control in different ways. Also, you can apply a style to each one. To do that, click the document property content control, then click PROPERTIES on the DEVELOPER ribbon. A dialog box opens. Check the check box to apply a style then choose the style you want. Repeat for the other copy of the control that you want to format differently.

[@mbsquaredsolutions6722]

Still works great and just what I needed! Much appreciated. 🙂

[@CobaltAmbience]

Hi, it was very helpful tutorial. I have one question though: Can I create new fields for example project code, document code, drawing number etc. that are different from the words' document properties, but have the same auto-filing effect. Thank you for sharing you knowledge.

[@TownsendTek]

Hi Stefan, sorry I just saw your message - it was in my KZbin SPAM folder for some reason! You cannot create new fields with THIS method, however, if you have Word 2013 or 2016 (for a PC, not Mac) you can set up your own content controls to repeat with the method in this video that I just recently made. kzbin.info/www/bejne/haWpmXyngJWam8U

[@viratmahesh6787]

Hi, thanks for sharing this video,I found this as helpful but i need the video to find the same url links which is already existing in the word document

[@TownsendTek]

Hi, I don't understand what you are asking for. What "URL Links?" and what do you mean by "to find" them? Are you trying to copy text from one area of the document and have the same text appear elsewhere by pasting it as a link?

[@TownsendTek]

Here is a video on setting up and repeating text using content controls that are not the built in document properties. I don't know if this helps with your question or not. kzbin.info/www/bejne/haWpmXyngJWam8U

[@DuongLe-sj1jq]

Really appreciated, when I copy content from box to box, the content is changed, but I see that Theme Fonts is not changed. How can I make Theme Fonts change as well. Thank you so much.

[@TownsendTek]

Hi Dương Lê - I don't understand what you are trying to do. Can you explain your question more? Where do you see Theme Fonts? Are you copying between different documents? What exactly are you doing? Every document has a Theme, and every Theme has a font assigned to it. This is on the Design ribbon. The theme goes with the document not the text. So if you copy text from a document with one theme into a document with a different theme, IF the text was formatted by the theme, it text will take on the formatting of the theme in the document into which it is copied. But I don't think that has anything to do with using these document property content controls to repeat text in the document. With the document property content controls, if you type new text in one, that text should appear in the matching ones. But the formatting will look the way the text is formatted in that area in the document. So if you are using the "Abstract" document property content control in two places, and you have it bold and underlined in one place, but plain text in the other place. If you type new text in either place, the new text will appear in both places and it will stay bold and underlined in that place, and stay plain text in the other place. I hope I am making sense.

[@DuongLe-sj1jq]

Hi, For example, when I create a text content control, I copy this text content control, so I have 2 text content controls. When I change the Fonts (from Arial to Times New Roman Fonts) of Text 1, but the Fonts of Text 2 is unchanged (still Arial).

[@TownsendTek]

If you are using document properties for your content controls like this video shows, that is how it works. After you copy the document property content control, if you type new text in one, the text in the other updates to match it. But if you format it - Arial, bold, underline, etc. - the other content control does not change. If you have Word 2013 or 2016 you can map your own content controls and I have video on that here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/haWpmXyngJWam8U. If you use that method, when you insert RICH TEXT content controls, the formatting should update for all copies of the content control when you change it for just one. If you insert PLAIN TEXT content controls, the formatting will NOT update for copies of the content control when you change it for one.

[@DuongLe-sj1jq]

Awesome, thank you so much! Much appreciated.

[@ThePulsater]

I could not get this to work use the field method. The way you describe doing this is by using a per-set Document-Property Fields. Would wish I could get a table made that a user to type in the different field values into that would populate the sheet.

[@TownsendTek]

You can but you need a different method. Watch my video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/haWpmXyngJWam8U If you have the right Word version, You can set up your own list of "fields" - as many as you want. Then Map those to XML. What a lot of people do then is make a table at the beginning of the document for the fields they want filled in and put the content controls in it. Then the content controls are copied throughout the document as needed. Once they are filled in, they update throughout the document and you can then delete the table from the document if you want.

[@josdea]

Amazing, just what I was looking for and I never knew about the clipboard trick as well. Thanks.

[@heatherbs5]

Thank you, thank you. I have saved a "Page Template" with this on the page. But I use this page over 300 times in my document. but each page has a different saved item. How can I have each page its own item?

[@TownsendTek]

I'm sorry, I don't understand the question. You have a page template that is the same over 300 times in the document, but it needs a "different saved item" each time. Can you explain what the saved item is? Where does it come from? Is it text? and image? a link to something? If it is different on each page, then it can't be one of these repeating fields. I wonder if you should be doing a mail merge?

[@heatherbs5]

Laura Leader - Law Office Solution Each page has a repeated name. But every page had a different name

[@TownsendTek]

@@heatherbs5 Oh, so each page has a different name that needs to repeat on just that page several times. Where do the different names come from? This sounds like it should be a mail merge, not using the repeating content controls. Are you familiar with mail merges? The different names get typed into a "data source" this could be a Word table or an Excel worksheet (or other things but those two are most popular.) That is saved as one document. Then you set up your template that has the repeating name as its own document. Then you link it to the data file from the mail merge ribbon. Then you insert a merge field for the repeating name every place you want it. Then you run a mail merge and creates a new document with a separate page for each name. I don't have a mail merge video up here but I'm sure there are some good ones. I can email you instructions too.

[@heatherbs5]

@@TownsendTek No its not actually names. so mail merge is not an option. i create manuals for pilots to reference before taking off. each page of every manual can be different. But each page will repeat the same bit of "information" repeatedly. I was hoping to be able to have a page template whereby I insert 1 page and fill it with that page's repeating information. The next page that I insert has different information but repeated many times. and each manual has at least 300 pages.

[@hamzarafique277]

Amazing video. Can I extend limited document property content controls?

[@TheK3yMaker]

did you find a way?

[@alexisxanders4834]

Hi there, I followed you steps to the T but every time I click out of the field hoping it will auto populate the rest of the document properties it will not auto populate like yours do. Is there a setting I am missing on my word to allow this?

[@TownsendTek]

I can't th ink of anything, it's pretty straightforward. If you want to email a document that isn't working to me, I'll take a look at it for you. (My email is in the video description)

[@bmsconsulting1647]

very useful information, thank you.

[@MrManoj6667]

it is not updating in 2010, whether i want make changes in setting

[@brenbrady]

In design mode the tags show as orange, mine shoe as blue?

[@niconicouana]

Hi, I am creating a contract template and want to make it error-proof. Your video is excellent, only what I wish to offer the Sales team is one separate template in which they simply need to fill things once (ex: Client's legal name, Clients DBA name, Contact number, etc.), so it auto populates the actual contract, in the various places. Right now, the basic information to be repeated is not all at the top of the contract, so I would have to highlight the first-time appearing terms, throughout the contract, so the Sales people are forced to locate them and fill them. Is there a way to create such a template, hidden from the client, to whom the contract will eventually be sent (we may sometimes convert to PDF, but let's assume we need to maintain the integrity of the Word doc, for this question)?

[@TownsendTek]

Hi Nicole, I'm just now seeing this question. What a lot of people do is: 1. put all the property content controls at the top of the document. 2. Copy them as needed throughout the document. 3. The typist fills them in at the top, which which populates the information throughout the document. 4. Then just delete the unwanted part at the top.

[@michelleduggan6602]

@@TownsendTek any way to get word to prompt for this info on open? Similar to the Fill-In from forms? I tried to put a fillin form inside the content control but it didn't respond.

[@newguy3413]

Hi Laura I'm using 2010 and when I click on insert, quick parts, my document property is in grey and won't allow to select. Why is that? Thanks

[@TownsendTek]

Hi @New Guy, Sorry I just now noticed your comment. I don't know... If this is still an issue for you: Could there be some security set on your document? If you open a totally different document and try is it still disabled? If you go to Review tab, Protect Document (far right), click that - is there a check box by anything other than "Unrestricted Access"?

[@nicholastube17]

Is there a way to reference a value selected from a content control drop down menu? I know how to do this in legacy fields, but can't seem to figure out how to do using content controls.

[@TownsendTek]

Yes, but not with the built in properties that this video references. First, if it is important that text repeats throughout the document (as opposed to having a drop down that is only used one place in the document) watch this video to see how:kzbin.info/www/bejne/haWpmXyngJWam8U In that video it shows you inserting the content controls into the document. When you insert them, you choose what type of content control you are inserting. Choose drop down list for a list they must pick from, or combo box where you can have a list to pick from but they can also type anything they want. Insert the content control, then click on it, then go to PROPERTIES on the Developer Tab Ribbon. Once you click properties you will see where you can add items to your pick list. :-) If you don't need the content control to repeat in other areas of the document, you can just insert it from the Developer Ribbon then go to properties. You don't need to do all the things in the video I linked.

[@philcole9161]

Very useful feature explained well. Thanks

[@kalsiman9942]

Thanks Laura, very helpful.

[@TownsendTek]

You are most welcome!

[@inspiredspaces9304]

Thank you, have spent hours trying to find out how to do this, the only thing I cannot work out is under address, if I want the address to go over several lines, instead of one continuous, how do I format this. For eg I want Mr and Mrs Jones 10 Black St Smithfield instead of Mr and Mrs Jones, 10 Black St, Smithfield

[@TownsendTek]

Sorry, I am just NOW seeing your question! After you insert the document property content control: 1. Select it (by its tab/tag in the document), 2. Choose PROPERTIES (In the CONTROLS group on the DEVELOPER ribbon in Word). 3. Check the ALLOW CARRIAGE RETURNS (MULTIPLE PARAGRAPHS) check box at the bottom of the dialog box. 4. Choose OK. Copy that content control wherever else you want it in the document, or set the check box for all copies of it already in the document.

[@kikochoa]

Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!

[@mozillagenesis]

Is there a way to repeat not just the text, but the formatting that goes along with it? Say for example, change the first "ABC Company" text to italics and have the rest of the "ABC Company" text also become italicized wherever it shows up in the document.

[@TownsendTek]

I do not know of a way with the built in document properties. But watch the video below. If you make your own mapped content controls, then inset them as RICH TEXT they will do what you want. kzbin.info/www/bejne/haWpmXyngJWam8U

[@mozillagenesis]

@@TownsendTek That's it! THANK YOU very much!!!

[@TownsendTek]

@@mozillagenesis Glad it worked. If you have some content controls where you do NOT want the formatting to affect all instances, insert them as plain text. :-)

[@hakemblue]

respect, this gived me a great creative help thank you

[@mcbair25]

What happens if the quick ABSTRACT FIELD is linking to the one made previously? How do you break it apart?

[@TownsendTek]

+Megan “Meg” Bair I'm not sure I understand, but I think you are saying that when you type in one field, it fills in another and you do NOT want it to? The fields have different purposes? Any time you type something in a document property field (like Abstract), the same text will fill in into every Abstract field you have inserted in the document, even if you changed the names. That is the goal. If you want fields for different things that are not linked, use different document property fields. Let me know if I misunderstood your question.

[@chubbydawme]

I have employee name and date on a page of my document. When I copied and pasted those two control fields onto the footer, the values do not update with whatever the values entered. How do I fix this? I want to make the employee name and date appear on the footer. Thanks!

[@TownsendTek]

Hi +Michael Angelo Rayo. Are you using document property fields? And if you renamed them, did you do that before you copied them into the footer? If so, I don't know what is wrong because I can't reproduce the problem. 1. I would try with a brand new, fresh document and see if it sill happens. If it does, you can email a copy to me directly and I'll take a look at it. (Tell me which version of Word you are using.) [e-mail].

[@jrrosales9046]

You are awesome and excellent tutorial. Would you be able to help me out? Here is the scenario: When I open the word document, a box will open and it will ask to enter Company Name, System Admin and URL in the text box. After I click SUBMIT button, these three inputs will be repeated in the whole document as needed. Example: The product is made by the (Company Name). Their website is (URL). The website is managed by (System Admin)... and so on.. Thank you.

[@TownsendTek]

Jr Rosales Hi, there area several ways to approach this, but in MS Word, if you want a dialog box to appear and prompt for data, that will require VBA computer programming. This is not hard but many who are not already programmers have better things to do that figure it out for one document. If you want to try it, search the internet for "Word VBA UserForm." Alternatively, you can hire someone (like me!) to develop the template for you. If you need a lot of templates, I can do that also but the price will add up (though companies hire me to do this sort of thing all the time). A third option is that I developed a Word add-in program that lets you set up your own forms and it will show them to you and prompt you with a dialog box for any data you surrounded with double brackets. So if you have [[Company]] and [[URL]] scattered 5 times throughout the document, it will prompt you one time for Client and URL then fill them all in for you. If you are interested in more info on the solutions I can provide, just email me directly at [e-mail].

[@AndFinally]

Thanks Laura, very handy!

[@jaythomas7736]

Very helpful thank you!

[@MattPolaniecki]

I added the field per your instruction in multiple spots but it does not update it in other locations. Any idea why?

[@TownsendTek]

+Matt P No idea if it was one of the property fields. If you want you can email a copy of the doc to me and I'll look at it (tell me which version of Word you're using). Email [e-mail]. I had one person with a similar problem, and she had some legacy fields also in the document. No idea if that was the cause, but when I added more property content controls they all mysteriously started worked. I believe that ultimately she started over in a new, clean document and everything was fine.

[@pawshi12]

Does this not work if you have different sections? I have section breaks and it doesn't seem to be reading the text that I want to repeat. Thanks! Update: I tried it in the same section and copying and pasting the content control doesn't seem to be working.

[@TownsendTek]

When you select the control to copy it, are you clicking the tab with the control name on it? Watch exactly how I copy it starting at 2:40. I have found that if I select the body of the control instead of clicking on the tab, it will not copy it. If you can't get that to work, try including text before and after the control in your selection, then copy/paste that and just delete the unwanted text from where you paste. Hope this works!

[@pawshi12]

Thanks for the quick response! I was using content control with the new tools (plain text) as opposed to the Quick Parts Document Property. I used a document property field but it's autopopulating it with whatever account information that the applicant is using to fill it out. I wonder if there is a way to repeat the plain text content control fields. Thank you!

[@TownsendTek]

Sorry, I am just now seeing this comment. See if this video does what you want: kzbin.info?o=U&video_id=OtFhIqK0gec that shows how to use regular content controls to repeat text if you have Word 2013 or newer.

[@MrManoj6667]

i want use select all then F9 to update in every place

[@gadlen2]

Thanks very much! That was super useful!

[@Takakwii]

Can this also be done when the original field is a drop down list?

[@TownsendTek]

Hi Colinda, not with THIS method because it's using built in document properties and none of the built in properties are drop down lists. However, if you have Word 2013 or newer for a PC (not for a Mac), this tutorial shows you how you can create your own fields and insert them as drop down lists: kzbin.info/www/bejne/haWpmXyngJWam8U

[@Phemsdasla]

thank you , that was very helpful 😘😘😘

[@savagemanman]

Thank you! Unfortunately I am using word 365 and seems it does not work on it.

[@TownsendTek]

Hi @savagemanman - It works in Office 365. Word for Mac, it won't work for. I also did a new video recently showing how to do this without having to use the built in property controls if you have Word 2013 or 2016 - which you should have 2016 if you use Office 365. You can see it here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/haWpmXyngJWam8U Sorry for the slow reply I didn't see your message when it came in.

[@usmanhameed625]

Is there a way MS Word can judge the word you used earlier without saving it by yourself like excel cells do. So you may not write it every time.

[@TownsendTek]

@usman hameed, I don't understand your question, can you please try wording it differently? I understand you want to know if MS Word can evaluate a word you put in the document earlier. But I don't understand what you mean when you say "without saving it by yourself like excel cells do." When you say "so you may not write it every time" I think you want to write the word just one time but have it appear a few places. But I don't understand what Word is "judging" about the word. Do you mean only some words would be acceptable? Like the person has to pick off a list? Or if they type a certain word that you do not want, Word gives them a message or will not let them?

[@MrStewy29]

Great vid! - Quick question, is there a way to have a quick part with multiple lines for instance for an address ex. Jims Plumbing 1234 main stree Timbucktoo, XXX N7p 1K4

[@TownsendTek]

+Matthew Stewart (Sorry, I am just now seeing your question for some reason.) YES you can do this. 1. Insert the document property content control. 2. Select it. 3. Choose PROPERTIES from the CONTROLS group on the DEVELOPER ribbon. 4. Check "Allow carriage returns (multiple paragraphs). 5. Change the content control Title if desired. 6. Choose OK. 7. Copy/Paste that content control where you want it.

[@amym2417]

Would this work on a contract, where you want to be able to change the name, company, address, etc at one point and have it auto fill throughout the rest of the document? It looks as though it will.

[@TownsendTek]

+Amy M Yep, this would work. You could change the info at any point in the document and it will update throughout, including headers and footers. The only obstacle would be if you needed more than 15 unique field names. But you should be fine for the average contract.

[@amym2417]

+Law Office Solution Got it to work. One more question: they have it page numbering as Page X of Y. The first page is the info page for our person to fill in the blanks, we have the numbering starting on the second page (second page as page 1). Problem is, it is counting the first page in the total number of pages. Is there any way to make it not count it?

[@TownsendTek]

+Amy M Hi Amy, Wow, such a great question that I made a new video to show folks how to do this. You can see it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHfZi2mMmcySmLc. Sorry it's kind of long, I'll try to add a table of contents in the description area soon. Basically: I know of two ways to do what you want. 1) Use a formula field that subtracts 1 from the number of pages or 2) Insert a section break between the title page and other pages then use the "SectionPages" field for the number of pages (rather than the NumPages field).

[@pawelradzyminski933]

Hey, thanks for nice video. I have one problem, when I save the document all content control become blank, do you know why?

[@TownsendTek]

No, that is a bit bizarre... What version of Word are you using? If you want to email a copy of the document to me I'll take a look at it. [e-mail]

[@linearislinearis2736]

Thank you for this video! But I have a problem with sharing this document with others. I have to sent this to be filled in to colleagues and clients, but this function does not work when I save the document. And also it throws out the Macros warning. Do you know how to save the document and share to others, so the duplicates would work. and the warning would not pop-up?

[@tanguerochas]

Late reply. This has nothing to do with a macro warning. These repurposed Document Property Content Controls will work on Word 2007 or later so long as the document is in .docx format.

[@braid01]

Exactly what I needed to know. THanks!

[@jessicam8545]

How do I make a different abstract? I tried to make a different one with a different value and it keeps giving me what I put in the first one.

[@tanguerochas]

There is only one Abstract Document Property. You can give it different names, but it is still attached to the same xml node. Either use a different one of the built-in ones or create your own as shown by Laura in kzbin.info/www/bejne/haWpmXyngJWam8U.

[@Icolor94]

I've been trying to insert two abstracts with different entries but when I type in one of them the other automatically fills in. Do you know what can I do?

[@TownsendTek]

Hi Nicole, If you want different entries you need to use different properties. The whole point of this is that when you change the data in one place, it updates everywhere you use that same document property content control in the document. You can pick two different doc property content controls or, if you don't want text typed in one to update the other, just use regular content controls available on the Developer ribbon, instead of the special document property ones.

[@sdfgsdggful]

I don't have enough standard 15 fields, how can I increase their number?

[@TownsendTek]

You cannot increase the number of built in document property content controls. HOWEVER, if you have Word 2013 or newer, you can create your own "fields" - as many as you want. This video shows you how: kzbin.info/www/bejne/haWpmXyngJWam8U If you have an older version of Word , tell me what version and I'll see if I can recommend a solution to you.

[@saifnasser2942]

Hello! document propertie just have 15, that's I can reply But what if I need more than 15 times. I have document, in that document I need reply text more than 15 times. And thank you 😊!

[@TownsendTek]

Hi, I am just now seeing this. Watch this video - it shows you how to make your own properties and you can make as many as you want. You need Word 2013 or newer to do this. If you have an older version of Word, let me know I may be able to help. kzbin.info/www/bejne/haWpmXyngJWam8U

[@saifnasser2942]

@@TownsendTek oh thank you so much 😊

[@saifnasser2942]

You makes everything easy! 😍😊

[@kurt2rsenjazz]

Thank you Laura

[@TownsendTek]

Thanks for watching!

[@carolinerankin218]

Hi! Can this work in headers and footers?

[@tanguerochas]

Yes, they can be placed in headers and footers, but it will be easier if at least one instance is in the body. See also the StyleRef Field. www.addbalance.com/usersguide/fields.htm#STYLEREF

[@Madgad42]

Life saver, thank you!

[@TownsendTek]

+Madgad42 Absolutely!

[@mourahman7371]

i face a prob please help laura,i want to change multiple word but where i use abstract it change all the data ,example i have a paragraph i have to change two field water and burger automaticaly where it get "water" it will change all the word water and where it get 'burger' it will change all the word burger ,but using abstract it change water into water, it laso change burger into water...... how i will solv this plz help me..............

[@TownsendTek]

mou Rahman, you need to use Abstract for the WATER field, and use a different property for the BURGER field. When you insert the Abstract field the first time, you will see other fields on the list. Use one of those for the BURGER. Let me know if that does not make sense. You can also follow this video where you make your own fields: kzbin.info/www/bejne/haWpmXyngJWam8U

[@n3m4nj4]

The only problem i see here is when you try copying the section to a another word document. It wont paste the input data you put in. It comes out blanke. I dont know how to fix this.

[@tanguerochas]

That is because it is connected to the XML node in that document. You'll have to type it back in.

[@Amayava]

Followed all steps but every time I add or change the information every field changes to the same thing.

[@tanguerochas]

That is the idea - to repeat data.

[@jen6294]

I can't click the Document Property. I have Word 2010 on a PC, help!

[@TownsendTek]

Do you mean the doc property field once it's in the document, or are you saying you can't insert a doc property field at all?

[@morganhardy6066]

You are a QUEEN!! Thank you!

[@AshikKhan-er4up]

I have an query of word I have 100 word file and every file have 3 same words but I want change these 3 word from 100 file at one time please resolve it sir I hope that you can do it

[@megat668]

awesome! thank you very much big help

[@DatGrlTah13]

Copying the fields did not work for me. I have Word 2016. And I have tried this in different ways.

[@TownsendTek]

Chantah, are you clicking the document property content control (field) by the handle at the top of it before doing your copy/paste? If you are, I don't know what could be wrong but if you want to email a copy of the document to me I'll take a look at it and see if I can find a problem. It definitely should work in 2016. My email address is in the video description.

[@bnp2bnp]

I used up all my document property fields in a form I am doing. Does anyone else know how that Excel is a lot easier with functions, but my clients prefer MS Word. THanks

[@TownsendTek]

Hi Bel, here is a link to a video I made on how to make these fill in fields yourself, instead of using Document Properties. That way you can have as many as you need. Excel and Word have different purposes. Excel is a great program but not for designing documents. Word is for documents, Excel is for spreadsheets, lists, and charts.

[@bnp2bnp]

@@TownsendTek Hey there Laura! Thanks for the response. I don't think the link is working. What is the name of the video? Thank you, ma'am! :)

[@TownsendTek]

@@bnp2bnp I forgot to paste the link! kzbin.info/www/bejne/haWpmXyngJWam8U the video name is "Repeat text in MS Word by mapping content controls with the xml pane"

[@Ellier215]

This is great. Thank you!

[@Imani1967]

I was searching during the week of May 18, 2015 and I believe a saw another tutorial regarding repeat text automatically being populated. Did you delete that video?

[@TownsendTek]

+imani kenyatte, Sorry, I am just now seeing your question. Yes, I did delete that video. I found there was a problem with the method I used in that video. It worked great as long as you never moved the document, but as soon as you moved the document or sent it to some one else, Word usually broke all the links and it stopped working. That video had you use any content control, not just a property, and copy it, then to paste do: Paste Special, Paste as Link. It's awesome when it works because you can have an unlimited number of fields, and you can paste ANY text as a link, not just a content control. Unfortunately, the links kept breaking when people tried to send the document to someone else.

[@TrailersYT]

What if I wanted more fields to be copied and linked? I did 3 fields with Abstract, but now they all have the same information hahah

[@andrewa6607]

Is there something similar to this in Excel?

[@TownsendTek]

Andrew, you can repeat a cell's contents in Excel but it's done quite differently. I made a video to show you here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKHHpH2Oj9mDp9k. Basically, you: 1. click on the cell where you want the repeated text to appea. 2. Type = 3. Click the cell that contains the text to repeat 4. Press Enter on Keyboard

[@allanLbear]

Life Improvement!

[@dilfinitydictionary6243]

Very useful

[@rafaelsaviolomoreira4426]

Great!!! Thank you.

[@kayleighjuliana]

thank you so much!!!

[@TownsendTek]

+kayleighjuliana Absolutely!

[@mc6510]

Just want I needed to know. Thanks

[@arthurkorff]

You're amazing!

[@laereringrid]

Aaaah, THANK YOU!

[@TownsendTek]

+Lærer Ingrid You're welcome!

[@ahmedsalman3294]

Fantastic!

[@nsm5821]

Thanks a lot