How do I set an "auto updated page number" in text?

[ramjr]

I am using LibreOffice 7.0.4.2 on Devuan Linux (kernel 5.10, Debian 11.1 based).

I have a document with a short, 1 page list of tasks, with references to following pages with greater detail.

I want the page number references on the task list to automatically update if additions to the details cause a section to move to a new page number.

I have searched through fields documentation, thinking that would be the most likely place for this sort of feature, with no success. Part of the problem is I don’t know exactly what this would be called, in order to search for it.

Thanks.

[EarnestAl]

Fields need to be manually updated. You can do this by clicking Tools > Update > Fields, although the easiest way is to press F9 (Fn+F9 for some keyboards)

If you use TOC or index then you might need to click Tools > Update > Update All. I have customised the Standard toolbar to add the icon for Update All.

[robleyd]

A Table of Contents may be what you want.

[ajlittoz]

Do you want to enter sentences like “The procedure is described in paragraph 1.2.3 page 6” (where 1.2.3 stands for chapter.sub-chap.sub-sub-chap)? Both <1.2.3> and <6> are called cross-references. There are many variants of them. The easiest to use is related to chapter numbering (implying the use of Heading n family of paragraph styles for headings). Then you can retrieve the chapter number, the heading itself and the page number. Since it is provided by Writer, it updates when formatting causes a change.

[ramjr]

Thanks, I will look into the TOC and cross-reference ideas. I had actually thought about using a TOC but thought there should be a better solution. I think the cross-reference idea might be that.

Thanks again for the suggestions.

[ramjr]

OK, I’ve figured out something that will work for me.

When I looked at cross-references, I found they provide a “hot link” in the digital copy that you can use to jump to the location when loaded in Writer. This is overkill for my need, I think, unless this link is preserved in PDF format. I will explore this more at a later time, since actvie links in a PDF would also be useful.

Meanwhile, I looked to TOC, but it is too closely tied to headings. I need something I can simply select text from somewhere in the document and have it indexed … ah ha, the answer.

Using the index feature, I can select any text, anywhere, including captions, and mark it as an index entry. I then update the index itself to see the items I’ve selected. Mission accomplished.

Thanks.