Convert Word Document Field Codes into Formatted Text

Reference management software such as EndNote, Mendeley, etc. are great time savers when inserting citations in a manuscript typed in Microsoft Word.  Sometimes it is necessary to modify or remove the field codes these programs place in a document.  Situations include the need to edit some of the fields or submit a text-only article to a journal.  In these instances, these fields need to be removed and replaced with the appropriately formatted text.  How is this done?  Its incredibly easy...as long as you know the keyboard shortcut.  Here are the two simple steps:

(1) Select the text you want to remove the field codes from.  This can be done by highlighting a section of interest or pressing Ctrl + A if you want to replace the field codes in the entire document.

(2) Press Ctrl + Shift + F9.  This is the actual step that converts field codes into formatted text.

That's it.  You're done!  All your MS Word field codes in your .doc file should now be removed and the appropriate formatted text should be inserted in their place.  Hope this works for you as easily as it did for me.  If you find this post particularly helpful, please help me out by clicking the +1 link on the bottom of the post.