I’m working on a relatively large document (using word 2007 and EndnoteX5) with a current wordcount of about 17500 words. This evening I’ve noticed a problem: whenever I add a new reference to the document, the entire reference list at the end of the document copies itself! As a result, my wordcount jumps by about 3000 words every few minutes: has anybody come across this problem before?
Make a copy of the document and try unformatting everything, delete any residual bibliography, and either immediately reformat or try first removing fields to get rid of any remaining corrupted code (select all and ctrl+sht+F9) and then reformat (I would first try without that intermediate step, especially if you have any footnotes, table of contents etc, unless you need to).
Thanks for your help, Leanne. I’ve tried those steps, but the problem is persisting: when I unformat the document, the additional reference list disappears, but when I reformat it comes back again.
Even if you then clean up the codes select all (ctrl+A) then Words’ alt+shift+F9 while the document is unformated? Are there footnotes? You can also try Alt+F9 and see if some invisible code appears that is hidden and delete that.
Otherwise I suggest that you might want Tech Support to look at the document. More detailed instructions on cleaning up a document that may have corrupted fields is here. (Link updated Aug 2013). The problem described is different, but the cleanup steps are the same.
Thanks: the instructions on how to clean up a document seem to have worked!!
A year later, and the problem had resurfaced!
This advice worked last time: “More detailed instructions on cleaning up a document that may have corrupted fields is here. The problem described is different, but the cleanup steps are the same”.
That link appears to be broken, however. Any alternative ways of getting that information?
Hello!
The article is still available, though it has moved. Try this link instead:
Also, if your field codes are regularly getting damaged, there may be something in your workflow that is the root cause. Make sure that you always remove citations by using the Edit & Manage Citations tool rather than simply backspacing out. Also, I recommend always unformatting before performing any copying, pasting, moving, or deleting of any text that contains EndNote citations. This will preserve the delicate encoding needed for Word to recognize your EndNote citations.