Sometimes when you try to print a document created using the Microsoft Word editor or save it as a PDF, you may receive errors such as “Bookmark not defined” or “Link source not found”. This article will explain why they arise and how to get rid of them.
Why do you need fields and links in "Word"
Despite its name, the “Bookmark Not Defined” error has nothing to do with the tool of the same name, which allows you to create invisible notes in the text to quickly move through a large document. Thesis, for example.
The problem is with another tool. It is called "Field". It is needed to insert information into a text document, which should be constantly updated. For example, pagination.
The second application of the fields in Microsoft Word is to connect blocks of text or objects from another document of the same format. This allows you to print the same type of documents, slightly different from each other. Most often, these are letters or making inscriptions on envelopes for them.
Fields and links to them are inserted automatically when using certain commands, but they can be added manually.
An example of automatic insertion is the Table of Contents tool. Most often it is its use that provokes the appearance of the error "Bookmark not defined".
Reasons for the appearance
This problem occurs for three reasons:
- bookmark is not displayed;
- text or bookmark object is missing as a result of editing;
- mismatch of the field name and address in the link to it.
There are 3 ways to fix this problem in Word.
How to fix the "Bookmark not defined" error: method one
This method is suitable for versions of Microsoft Word 2007 and later. It consists in the following algorithm:
- Click on the button "Office" (2007) or "File" (2010 and newer).
- In the menu that opens, click on "Word Options."
- Go to the "Advanced" subsection.
- Find the line "Show bookmarks" in the right part of the window.
- Put a check mark next to it (by default it is not) and click "OK" to apply the new setting.
After these manipulations, all bookmarks will be displayed in the text, and the error in Word "Bookmark not defined" should disappear.
The text placed inside the bookmark will be displayed inside the square brackets: [Example].
Method two: check and correct the document
If the display of bookmarks did not help in any way to eliminate the error "The bookmark is not defined", then you need to check for the presence of text or objects to which reference is made.
This can be a deleted section or subsection heading used to compile a table of contents, or an object loaded from another text document.
If there are few links in the document, then it will be faster to recreate them.
To remove all existing links, including invalid ones, you need to:
- Select all text using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + A.
- Press the combination Shift + Ctrl + F9.
It will delete all fields and, accordingly, links to them in the document with the exception of pagination. The text that was contained in them will remain.
Method Three: Correct Field Content
By default, they do not appear in the document. To make them visible, you need:
- Follow steps 1, 2, and 3 of the first method.
- Check the box next to "Show field codes instead of values" or use the Alt + F9 hotkeys.
After displaying, you need to check the field formula and, if necessary, make corrections to it. This is necessary to restore the functionality of links that use them.
The error "Bookmark not defined" most often occurs due to inattention of the user while editing. It is not difficult to get rid of the problem, but after making changes, update the links in the text using the "Select All" command (Ctrl + A) and the F9 key to see the changes associated with the operation of links and fields. And after verification, you can send the document to print.