How to create and use Custom Document Properties in Word 2007

Create the property:

Clic on the Microsoft Office Button (top left):

http://officeimg.vo.msecnd.net/en-us/files/325/058/ZA010351135.jpg

Prepare/Properties

( you can acheve the same with Alt-F Alt-E Alt-P)

a Properties ribbon appear under the main ribbon.
Click on the drop down list "Document Properties - Server" and choose advanced properties

Click on the Custom TAB

Enter a property name AND a property value, and click ADD.
I suggest to prefix YOUR custom properties with a prefix, like PV_, to distinguish them from built-in properties.


To insert a property in your document:

CTRL-F9
right click
edit field
field name=DocProperty and select your property


( this is explained very well here)


TRICK: you can achieve the same by:
CTRL-F9 then type DOCPROPERTY YOURPROPERTNAME
then right-click and "update field"

OR use ALT-F9 to display field codes and edit them, then ALT-F9 again to revert to normal mode.



or simply copy/paste an existing field, then right-click and edit field.


For help on Word Field Codes: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word-help/field-codes-in-word-HA010100426.aspx


My conclusion: Microsoft has done a very poor job when it comes to be able to externalize strings and include them dynamically in the document. I have seen better tools 20 years ago.