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How to update or refresh caption numbers in Word?

Author: Amanda Li Last Modified: 2024-08-01

Captions in Word are used to label figures, tables, and other objects, providing a clear reference for readers. As you edit your document by adding or deleting figures and tables, the caption numbers may become out of sequence. It’s essential to update or refresh these caption numbers to maintain accuracy and consistency throughout your document.

In this tutorial, we will guide you through the steps to easily update or refresh caption numbers in Word, ensuring your document remains well-organized and professional.


Updating or refreshing caption numbers with short-cuts

It is very easy to use short-cuts to handle this problem. But you have to remember to do it.

Step 1: Press Ctrl-A to select all the text in the document.

Step 2: Press F9.

All the caption numbers will be updated.


Updating or refreshing caption numbers with VBA

Alternatively, we can use VBA code to update or refresh the caption numbers. You can follow the instructions below.

Step 1: Press “Alt-F11” to open the Microsoft Visual Basic for Application window;

Step 2: Click Module on the Insert tab, copy and paste the following VBA code into the Module window;

Step 3: Then click Run Run button button to apply the VBA.

The VBA code of updating or refreshing the caption numbers:

Sub UpdateCaptionNumbers()
Dim oStory As Range
Dim oField As Field
For Each oStory In ActiveDocument.StoryRanges
For Each oField In oStory.Fields
oField.Update
Next oField
Next oStory
End Sub

Updating or refreshing caption numbers with Kutools for Word

Though the methods above are not very difficult to update or refresh caption numbers, here is the easiest way for you to update or refresh caption. That is Kutools for Word. After you have installed Kutools for Word, you can update or refresh caption numbers with one click.

Kutools for Word, equipped with AI 🤖, offers over 100 handy features to simplify your tasks.

After installing Kutools for Word, please do as below:

1. Please apply this utility by clicking Kutools Plus > Refresh in the Captions group. See screenshot:

Refresh button on the Kutools Plus tab on the ribbon

2. After you clicking Refresh button, you will see all caption numbers are updated. See screenshots:

Caption numbers before updating
Arrow
Updated caption numbers

Demo: Update and refresh captions in Word

Discover the Kutools / Kutools Plus tab in this video from Kutools for Word. Enjoy 100+ features and permanently free AI utilities. Download now!


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