Cross-References
Cross-references point readers to headings, figures, tables, equations or other document elements. Their wording and capitalization are style choices, while dynamic fields or links can help references remain accurate after editing.
Use a cross-reference when readers need to locate another identified part of the same document. Prefer stable labels or document fields over manually typed references when the format supports them.
Key details
Important caveats
Style Boundary
The exact wording, capitalization and punctuation of references are house-style decisions; follow the governing publication or organization style rather than treating one form as universal grammar.
Further guidance
Purpose
Use a cross-reference to direct readers to a specific item or section elsewhere in the same document when that connection helps navigation or interpretation.
Stability
When the authoring tool supports cross-reference fields, links or caption identifiers, use those mechanisms instead of manually retyping numbers that can become stale after edits.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Create a cross-reference — Microsoft Support (opens in a new tab)Microsoft Support · Cross-references to headings, figures and other items; dynamic field/hyperlink behavior
- Citations, references and sources — ONS Service Manual (opens in a new tab)Office for National Statistics · House-style examples for in-document references to chapters, tables and figures