Inserting a Dynamic Word Count in Your Document

Word keeps track of summary information for a document. You can see the information maintained by Word simply by displaying the Properties dialog box for your document. One of the pieces of information maintained is the number of words in the document. This information is updated whenever the document is saved or printed. Word allows you to insert this bit of summary information in your document by following these steps:

1. Position the insertion point where you want the number of words to appear.
2. Make sure the Insert tab of the ribbon is displayed.
3. Click the Quick Parts tool in the Text group. Word displays a number of choices from which you should choose Field. Word displays the Field dialog box. (Click here to see a related figure.)
4. Using the Categories drop-down list, choose Document Information.
5. Select NumWords from the Field Names list.
6. Click on OK.

If you prefer to not use the Field dialog box (for whatever reason), you can insert the number of words into your document by following these steps:

1. Press Ctrl+F9. This inserts a pair of field braces within your document.
2. Type "NumWords" (without the quote marks).
3. Press F9 to collapse the field and display the field's results (the number of words in the document).