Microsoft word - How to prevent/fix cross-reference Error! Reference source not found

I ask this question because I have problem with cross-reference.

For example, I have a heading with the text "My Test Heading", and I cross-reference it somewhere in my document. Then I change the heading to "Cowabunga". Then I update field for the cross-reference - and BAM - I got "Error! Reference source not found." for my cross-reference.

I know what happen there. It because when I cross-reference the heading, MS Word generates a hidden bookmark (ex: _Ref480371304), when I change the heading to other name - which mean I delete all the character of the old heading - the hidden bookmark is deleted also.

It is not good that I can't change my heading - like I want to translate a document and after translate, I have to insert the cross-reference all over again.

Here is the demo with image

Answer

I know where what go wrong now - Instead of cross-reference with type "Heading", use cross-reference with type "Numbered item".

Explain: when use cross-reference with type "Heading" the bookmark focus on character of the heading, so when we remove all the character of the heading, the bookmark gone. But when use cross-reference with type "Numbered item", the bookmark focus on line.

So the solution is if you accidentally use cross-reference with type "Heading", you have to re-create these cross-reference with type "Numbered item".

---

There's also a case that when you create cross-reference on a file, and you paste this cross-reference to a new file, you got the Error! Reference source not found.

The solution is copy the heading which you cross-reference in the old file (so the bookmarks is copy also) and paste it to the new file. Then update the cross-reference in the new file then the error should disappear.