Forum Discussion
multiple versions of same microsoft word document - I have latest version of Word and 365
I work with 4 different versions of the same master Word document. There are four different products that use the same master document, but each of the four services has differences in content in certain sections. We want to use Word but need to figure out a way to streamline updates to each document. For instance,
Service Document A is the master document
Service Document B has slightly different wording in table 1. Also, table 5 isn't included in this service.
Service Document C has a different introduction from the master document.
Service Document D has a different definitions section from the master, and the wording in row 9 in table 7 is different from the master document.
Is there a way to manage and streamline changes to these four documents that are modeled after the master document?
First, in Word jargon "master document" is a semi-broken feature. It should only be used when referring to that feature or you will get strange results in searches and help.
Master Documents "Feature" in Microsoft Word
When you plan on making changes to something, you do not want a document, but rather a template.
Templates are used to create new documents.
You can pull things from a different document or template using IncludeText Fields. You would mark parts to be pulled with Word bookmarks and reference them by those bookmarks. See also:
You can also store parts that are intended for use in multiple locations as AutoText or some other Building Block.
Thank you for your very thorough and informative reply. I appreciate it. Charles_Kenyon
- You are welcome.
