Word Replace Fields With Static Text

Aspose.Words Product Family
1

Hi,

I’m trying to modify the “ReplaceFieldsWithStaticText.Program.FieldsHelper” from the Samples packs to flatten out all date fields in a document (FieldCreateDate, FieldDate, FieldPrintDate etc) no matter where it occurs.

The sample works fine with the document provided, but I’m having trouble making it work across the whole document. If I pass the parent document node as a “CompositeNode”, would it do all the nodes (header/footer, tables etc)? E.g.

FieldsHelper.ConvertFieldsToStaticText(doc, FieldType.FieldCreateDate);

I had tried this and it didn’t seem to find the fields on the header/footer when I was debugging.

I also changed the ConvertFieldsToStaticText to only have 1 parameter (CompositeNode) and sequentially called the FieldsHelper for the date fields e.g.

helper = new FieldsHelper(FieldType.FieldCreateDate);
compositeNode.Accept(helper);
helper = new FieldsHelper(FieldType.FieldDate);
compositeNode.Accept(helper);
helper = new FieldsHelper(FieldType.FieldPrintDate);
compositeNode.Accept(helper);
… etc

Is this an acceptable way to do it? I’m not sure if I should be saving the composite node after every call or is Accept() good enough. Is there a better way to achieve this?

Lastly, I just want to check that the sample code flattens the field with current displayed text not the actual current value. For example if I have a {FileName} field for a document “1.docx” and close + save the document, then in Windows Explorer rename the document to “2.docx”, then when I open the document in Aspose and convert the field to static text, it will show “1.docx” as that was the last evaluated field eventhough the document is now 2.docx (assuming I haven’t called Document.UpdateFields()).

Thanks

2

Hi Gary,

Thanks for your inquiry. In case you are using an older version of Aspose.Words, I would suggest you please upgrade to the latest version (v13.4.0) from here and let us know how it goes on your side.

GaryO:
The sample works fine with the document provided, but I’m having trouble making it work across the whole document. If I pass the parent document node as a “CompositeNode”, would it do all the nodes (header/footer, tables etc)? E.g.

Yes, this code works for header/footer when you pass Document Node in ConvertFieldsToStaticText method. Please see the following code snippet for your kind reference.

FieldsHelper.ConvertFieldsToStaticText(doc, FieldType.FieldIf);
FieldsHelper.ConvertFieldsToStaticText(doc, FieldType.FieldMergeField);
FieldsHelper.ConvertFieldsToStaticText(doc, FieldType.FieldCreateDate);

Please read following documentation link for your kind reference.
https://docs.aspose.com/words/net/updating-and-removing-a-field/

GaryO:
Lastly, I just want to check that the sample code flattens the field with current displayed text not the actual current value. For example if I have a {FileName} field for a document “1.docx” and close + save the document, then in Windows Explorer rename the document to “2.docx”, then when I open the document in Aspose and convert the field to static text, it will show “1.docx” as that was the last evaluated field eventhough the document is now 2.docx (assuming I haven’t called Document.UpdateFields()).

Please update all fields by using MS Word and check the output of FileName field. In your case, I suggest you please call the Document.Update Fields method before calling ConvertFieldsToStaticText method. Please read following documentation link for your kind reference.
https://reference.aspose.com/words/net/aspose.words.fields/field/

If the problem still remains, please attach your input Word document here for testing. I will investigate the issue on my side and provide you more information.

3

Thanks for your help!

4

Hi Gary,

Thanks for your feedback. Please feel free to ask if you have any question about Aspose.Words, we will be happy to help you.