Hello:

I am trying to create a Data Definition documentation using MS Word that explains the various column headers in a report.  The issue is that due to space limitation, many of the column headers have to start with the pound sign (#).

Using those column names starting with the # sign as a Heading in MS Word causes no issues for the Table of Contents reference.  However, if the body has to have a link to that references the Heading section that starts with the # sign, the hyperlink breaks and will take the user back to the top of the document instead of the correct section.

For example, if the name of the Heading is:
# of Missed Appointments

This will work correctly in the Table of Contents section and the user can click on it to go to the correct section in the Word document.  However, a link in the body that specifies the following will have issues:
For more information, refer to the "# of Missed Appointments" section.
If we set the hyperlink to the document itself to reference the "# of Missed Appointments" section, the link never takes the user to the correct section.

Yes, I realize that the # sign is a reserved character for hyperlinks.  However, what is the work around so that we can still keep all of the Headings that have the # pound sign in it?

There should be a work-around as renaming all of the Headings to "Number of ..." instead of "# of ...", "Average Number of ..." instead of "Average # of ...", "Total Number of..." instead of "Total # of...", etc. in the Data Definition documentation seems counter-intuitive when the user tries to navigate and easily scan through the long Word documentation.  We don't want to have to replace all of the # signs to "Num" either.

Thank you in advance!

• Moved by Cindy Meister MVPMVP 15 hours 40 minutes ago not developer-related

Your problem description suggests the hyperlink target has been deleted and a new heading with the same name recreated.

FWIW, when I insert a heading as:

# of Missed Appointments

then hyperlink to it from elsewhere in the document, the hyperlink takes me to the heading, not to somewhere else.

In any event, is there a reason for using hyperlinks instead of cross-references?

Hi yosedesh

This question really doesn't belong in a Developer forum as you aren't looking for a coded solution to a problem; you want to solve this as an "end-user". So I'm going to move your question to the IT Pro TechNet forum.

However, I agree with Paul's recommendation to use cross-references instead of hyperlink. A cross-reference can be inserted as a Hyperlink and should behave the same as you're seeing in the TOC.

Beyond that

1. Nr is also an acceptable abbreviation for "number"

2. You can create your own Bookmarks at the Heading locations - without the # in the name - and hyperlink to those