Cannot add citations inside word textboxes

Hi,

I'm using Zotero standalone version 4.04 and MS Word 2013 (up to date with patches), running on windows 8 x64. I installed cite while you write via the standalone's options menu, and for the most part it works fine.

However, if I create a text box and try to insert a citation into it, I receive the error:

"Zotero experienced an error updating your document.
field.setCode is not a function"

Any ideas as to how I can fix this? I tried to work around it by adding the citations outside the text boxes and then cut and pasting them in, but once I do that they are no longer detected when generating the bibliography.

Thanks for your help.
  • AFAIK Word doesn't allow fields in text boxes, so Zotero can't insert citations there (same for image and figure captions btw.).
  • SCD
    edited May 2, 2013
    Ah, I see, thank you. Well, that's a pain!

    I did find this page, however: http://office.microsoft.com/en-gb/word-help/the-difference-between-a-text-box-and-a-frame-HP005189333.aspx

    It seems they recommend using a 'frame' instead of a text box if you need to insert text containing a field. You have to enable the developer tab in the office ribbon to find the add frame button, by going to "File > Options > Customize Ribbon > Ticking 'Developer'". Then from the Developer tab, you pick "Legacy Forms > Insert Frame".

    I don't know if frames are going to act in some odd way I can't predict, but for now at least it seems to let me do what I need.
  • I'll look into this — we should at least show a better error message.
  • Just an addition: This problem also appears when you try inserting a citation into a foot- or endnote -- a rather common use case.
  • HobbesvsBoyle: I can't reproduce that, although I can reproduce the issue with text boxes. What version of Word do you have?
  • Oh, I'm sorry, sloppy reading/bug reporting. This might actually not the same issue.

    I get the error message when using LO Writer 4.0.3.3 with a .docx document originally created with Word (version unknown).
  • you can't use "Bookmarks" in Footnotes. If you switch the document to reference marks this will work.
  • (but keep in mind that ReferenceMarks won't save in the .docx format, only in .odf format)
  • Ah, okay. Thanks Simon and adamsmith! Sigh to having to work with word documents...
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