Microsoft KB Archive/282586

= WD2002: Track Changes Does Not Track LINK Field Updates =

Article ID: 282586

Article Last Modified on 7/27/2006

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Word 2002 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q282586





SYMPTOMS
The Microsoft Word 2002, the Track Changes feature does not track updates to LINK fields.



WORKAROUND
If the LINK field is primarily text, you can track revisions by specifying the rich text format property for the field and then comparing and merging the changes rather than tracking changes.

Adding the Rich Text Format property to the LINK Field
Use the appropriate method for your situation.

Method 1: Specify the Rich Text Format property for a LINK field when you insert the field

 * 1) Click in the document where you want the link to appear.
 * 2) On the Insert menu, click Field.
 * 3) In the list of field names, click Link.
 * 4) In the Field properties section, in the Filename box, type the full path and filename of the file to which you are linking (for example, type C:\My Documents\LinkMe.doc).

NOTE: If you see the Advanced field properties box rather than the Filename box, click Hide Codes.
 * 1) In the Class name list, click the class representing the type of file to which you are linking.
 * 2) Click to select the Insert object as RTF check box. Click OK.

Method 2: Specify the Rich Format Text property after you insert the field
If you already inserted the LINK field, you can change its format to rich text by adding the \r switch. To do this, follow these steps:
 * 1) Display field codes. To do this, press ALT+F9.
 * 2) Click at the end of the LINK field just to the left of the closing field brace.
 * 3) Press the SPACEBAR one time and then type \r.
 * 4) Press F9 to update the field.
 * 5) Hide the field codes. To do this, press ALT+F9.

Comparing and Merging Documents
Compare the revision to the original file and then merge the changes into your original file.
 * 1) Before you make any changes to the file, create a copy of the original file. To do this, click Save As on the File menu.
 * 2) In the copy of your original file, make the changes you want. Do not modify the original. Do not select (enable) Track Changes on the Tools menu.
 * 3) When you are ready to view the revisions, click Compare and Merge Documents on the Tools menu.
 * 4) In the Compare and Merge Documents dialog box, select the original copy of the document, and then click Merge. Or, click the Merge arrow and then click either Merge into current document or Merge into new document.



STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed at the beginning of this article.



MORE INFORMATION
For more information about LINK fields, click Microsoft Word Help on the Help menu, type Field Codes: Link Field in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.

For more information about tracking changes in documents, click Microsoft Word Help on the Help menu, type track changes in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.

For more information about about comparing and merging documents, click Microsoft Word Help on the Help menu, type compare and merge in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topic.

Additional query words: WD2002

Keywords: kbbug kbpending KB282586

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