WD97: How to Recover a Saved Field Value

MORE INFORMATION

When Word 97 opens a document containing fields, Word automatically updates some fields such as Date, Fillin, and so forth. These field updates cannot be reversed because they are not shown in the list of actions that you can undo.

However, if you have not yet saved the document after opening it, you can recover the last values saved for the fields. To do this, follow these steps:

NOTE: Do not close or save the original file.

1. Open a new blank document by clicking the New button on the Standard toolbar.
2. On the Insert menu, click File.
3. In the Insert File dialog box, select the icon of the original file, and click OK.
4. Word inserts the fields in the new document with the last saved value displayed.
5. Click to select the field and then press CTRL+F11 to lock the field.
6. Copy and paste the locked field into the original document replacing the original field. To do this, follow these steps:
   1. Click to select the locked field.
   2. Copy the field to the Clipboard by clicking Copy on the Edit menu.
   3. Switch to the original document by clicking it on the Window menu.
   4. Click to select the original field, and then press DELETE.
   5. Insert the locked field by clicking Paste on the Edit menu.

NOTE: The field no longer updates until you unlock it. To do this, select the field and then press CTRL+SHIFT+F11.