Microsoft Word is skipping table caption numbers - how to debug?

Question

I have a series of tables in a document. The caption numbers should be Table 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 etc. Unfortunately however, there is one being skipped (i.e. 3.1, 3.3, 3.4...). Perhaps this is because I deleted and re-inserted a table. I have tried right clicking and selecting "Update Field" on the caption numbers.I have also tried pressing Alt-F9 and looking at the code. Nothing seems to be amiss. Does anyone have any ideas on how to debug this?

Answer 1

You're on the right track — Word’s caption numbering can get thrown off when tables are deleted, moved, or reinserted without properly updating the underlying field codes. Here are some steps to help debug and fix skipped table numbers:



🛠 Step-by-Step Debugging for Skipped Table Captions

1. Reveal Field Codes: Press Alt + F9 to toggle field codes. Look for something like:
2. Code: { SEQ Table \* ARABIC \s 3 } This tells Word to number the table as part of sequence “Table” in section 3.
3. Check for Missing SEQ Fields: If a table caption is missing the SEQ field, Word won’t count it. You can reinsert it by:
4. Placing your cursor where the caption should go.
5. Pressing Ctrl + F9 to insert field brackets { }.
6. Typing: { SEQ Table \* ARABIC \s 3 }
7. Right-click and choose Update Field.
8. Update All Fields: Press Ctrl + A to select the entire document, then press F9 to update all fields at once. This often resolves numbering gaps.
9. Check Section Numbering: If you're using multi-level numbering (e.g., 3.1, 3.2), make sure section headers are correctly formatted with numbered styles (like Heading 3). The \s switch relies on section numbers.
10. Inspect Hidden or Deleted Captions: Sometimes a deleted table leaves behind a hidden caption or field. Use Draft View and Show All Formatting Marks to spot any lingering fields.
11. Reinsert the Caption: If all else fails, delete the problematic caption and reinsert it using References > Insert Caption. Make sure it’s linked to the correct label (“Table”) and numbering scheme.