Fix Error, Bookmark Not Defined in Microsoft Word

Bookmarks are used in Microsoft Word documents as internal links to different sections or headings. They allow you to easily create tables of contents, cross-references, and indexes. However, sometimes you may encounter the error message “Error! Bookmark not defined” when trying to update these items.

This error occurs when Word cannot find a bookmark it is trying to link to. The bookmark may have been deleted, renamed, or moved within the document. Fortunately, there are several methods you can use to troubleshoot and fix bookmark errors in Word.

Show Hidden Bookmarks

The first step is to make sure you can actually see all bookmarks currently present in your Word document. By default, Microsoft Word does not display bookmarks visually.

To show bookmarks:

1. Go to the File tab and click Options.
2. Click Advanced in the left sidebar.
3. Under Show document content, check the box next to Show bookmarks.
4. Click OK.

Now when you scroll through your document, you should see bookmark names enclosed in brackets. This will allow you to verify if a bookmark is still present and troubleshoot any issues.

Use the Undo Command

If you only see the bookmark error when updating an automated table of contents, try using the Undo command. The Undo command reverses your last action, which may fix the error.

To use Undo:

• Press Ctrl + Z on your keyboard.
• Or click the Undo icon at the top of the Word window.

Then try updating your table of contents again. The error may disappear.

Check for Accidental Deletions

Another possibility is that you or another user may have accidentally deleted a required bookmark. Carefully check your document to see if any sections or headings are missing bookmarks.

If you find a missing bookmark, re-add it by highlighting the text and clicking Insert > Bookmark. Make sure to use the exact same bookmark name as before.

Verify Field Codes

Items like tables of contents and indexes use bookmark names in their underlying field codes. If the field code contains incorrect bookmark names with typos, you will see bookmark errors.

To check a field code:

1. Right-click on the table of contents or index.
2. Select Toggle Field Codes from the context menu.

This displays the field code. Check for any typos in the bookmark names and correct as needed.

Replace Missing Bookmarks

If bookmarks are missing because heading styles were changed or removed, you may need to replace them.

To replace a missing bookmark:

1. In the table of contents, right-click the entry with the error.
2. Click Toggle Field Codes.
3. Note the bookmark name shown.
4. Click Insert > Links > Bookmarks.
5. Create a bookmark with the exact name you found in step 3.

Unlink Fields

If you still see the error message, you can unlink the fields in your table of contents or index. This converts them to regular text you can edit.

To unlink fields:

1. Select the entire table of contents or index.
2. Press Ctrl + Shift + F9 on your keyboard.

Now you can manually correct any error messages and outdated page numbers.

Force a Refresh

Sometimes updating the references can resolve bookmark errors. To force a refresh:

1. Click inside the table of contents or index.
2. Press F9 to update all fields.

This will refresh the links and may fix broken bookmark connections.

Use the Navigation Pane

The navigation pane in Word provides an overview of document headings, making it easier to catch inconsistencies.

To show the navigation pane:

1. Click View > Show.
2. Select the Navigation Pane checkbox.

Now compare the headings shown to the table of contents. Verify headings match and bookmarks are properly assigned.

Check for File Corruption

If you still see bookmark errors after trying all other solutions, your Word document itself may be corrupt. Some signs of corruption include incorrect font formats, trouble scrolling, and unusual formatting issues.

To check for corruption:

1. Click File > Info.
2. Click Check for Issues > Inspect Document.

This scans your file and reports any found errors. You may need to restore your file from a backup or Word’s AutoRecover files if corruption exists.

When All Else Fails, Contact Microsoft

If no solutions resolve your bookmark issues, reach out to Microsoft Support. The Word help team may be able to diagnose complex problems with your file associated with the bookmark errors.

Prevent Future Bookmark Errors

Following best practices can help avoid bookmark issues when working with large Word documents:

• Use consistent heading styles instead of manual formatting.
• Bookmark all major headings and sections.
• Update tables of contents and indexes frequently as you write and edit.
• Compare bookmarks to table of contents entries regularly.
• Clean excess or unused bookmarks occasionally.

Catching and fixing bookmark errors early is key to preventing major issues down the line.

In Conclusion

Bookmarks are invaluable for navigating and organizing Word documents. But errors can happen, especially in long complex files. By showing hidden bookmarks, checking field codes, replacing missing links, and forcing refreshes, you can troubleshoot and rectify bookmark issues in your Word documents.

Let us know in the comments if you have any other tips for resolving the pesky “Error! Bookmark not defined” problem!