How to lock and unlock updating for fields in the Word document

Word 365
Bookmarks and references are typical examples of fields in Word documents. All fields are updated automatically on opening the document or manually by selecting them and pressing F9. However, you can lock specific fields in the document to prevent automatic updates. To update those fields, update them one by one, or select the entire text by pressing Ctrl+A and press F9.

For example, revision dates should remain unchanged:

Example of the fields in Word 365

To lock or unlock the field from automatic or inadvertent updating, do the following:

  • To lock the field to prevent updates, click on the field, and then press Ctrl+F11:
Example of the locked fields in Word 365

So, the Update Field command is disabled for this field:

The locked fields in Word 365
  • To unlock the field for updates, click on the field, and then press Ctrl+Shift+F11:
Example of the unlocked fields in Word 365

You can right-click this field and choose Update Field in the popup menu:

The unlocked fields in Word 365

See also this tip in French: Comment verrouiller et déverrouiller la mise à jour des champs dans le document Word.

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How to lock and unlock updating for fields in the Word document

How to lock and unlock updating for fields in the Word document

Bookmarks and references are typical examples of fields in Word documents. All fields are updated automatically on opening the document or manually by selecting them and pressing F9. However, you can lock specific fields in the document to prevent automatic updates. To update those fields, update them one by one, or select the entire text by pressing Ctrl+A and press F9.
Field keyboard shortcuts

Field keyboard shortcuts

This tip contains shortcut keys for simple and faster work with fields.
Field keyboard shortcuts

Field keyboard shortcuts

A field is a placeholder that Word uses to insert specified information into a document. Word automatically uses fields for specific elements that update automatically, such as dates, formulas, page numbers, and a table of contents. The field looks like a text in curly braces but you can not create a field by typing such text in your document; instead, you tell Word to insert the field you want.