Word 2016 – Merge field codes always displayed

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Problem

Any Word document opened that has merge fields – displays the full merge field code.

For example, a field link will show { HYPERLINK } and a merge field will show {  MERGEFIELD }

Solution

This happens when the Word settings have been configured to always show merge tags.

To change this setting:

  1. with Word open, click on the ‘File’ menu
  2. Open ‘Options’
  4. In the left hand menu, click on ‘Advanced’
  5. In the right hand pane, scroll down to the ‘Show document content’ group
  6. Untick ‘Show field codes instead of their values’
  7. Click ‘OK’ to save the changes
  9. Merge fields will now display as normal

Want to view the merge field tags?

For the keyboard commands to view merge field tags see Word 2016 – How to show merge tags