How to Cross Reference in Word

How to Add Cross References in Word

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How to Cross Reference in Word

A cross-reference points the reader to another part of the document where they can find more information about something, such as: “See Software on Page 17 for more information.”

When the page number is cross-referenced, the reference will automatically update if the page number changes. For example, if the referenced content on page 17 shifts to page 14, the cross-reference would automatically update to “Page 14.”

Insert a Cross-reference

  1. Click where you want to add a reference.
  2. Click the Insert tab.
  3. Expand the Links group, if necessary.
  4. Click the Cross-reference button.
    Insert a Cross-reference
  5. Select what you want the cross-reference to point to.
    Insert a Cross-reference
  6. Click the Insert reference to list arrow and select how you want the reference to be displayed.

    Depending on what you’re making a reference to, you’ll have several choices on how it appears once inserted in the document. For example, you can show a cross-reference to a heading as the heading text itself, the page number the heading is found on, or the heading’s number in the document outline.

  7. Click the Insert button.

    The cross-reference is inserted. You can move the cursor and insert additional cross-references, or close the window when you’re finished.

  8. Click the Close button.
    Insert a Cross-reference
  9. The Cross-reference dialog box closes. You can navigate to a hyperlinked cross-reference that has been inserted into a document by holding the Ctrl key and clicking it.

    • Numbered Items
    • Headings
    • Bookmarks
    • Footnotes
    • Endnotes
    • Equations
    • Figures
    • Tables

    Once a reference type is selected, every object of that type is displayed.

  10. Select what you want the cross-reference to point to.
    Insert a Cross-reference
  11. Click the Insert reference to list arrow and select how you want the reference to be displayed.
  12. Click the Insert button.
  13. The cross-reference is inserted. You can move the cursor and insert additional cross-references, or close the window when you’re finished.

  14. Click the Close button.
    Insert a Cross-reference

The Cross-reference dialog box closes. You can navigate to a hyperlinked cross-reference that has been inserted into a document by holding the Ctrl key and clicking it.