Cross-Reference Figures and Tables in LibreOffice

This guide explains how to create automated, dynamic cross-references to figures and tables in LibreOffice Writer. By linking your in-text citations directly to your captions, figure and table numbers will automatically update whenever items are added, removed, or rearranged in your document.

Step 1: Add Captions to Your Figures and Tables

LibreOffice Writer requires items to have formal captions before they can be targeted with automated cross-references.

  1. Select the Item: Click on the image, chart, or place your cursor inside the table you want to caption.
  2. Open Caption Dialog: Right-click the item and select Insert Caption… (or go to Insert > Caption… from the top menu).
  3. Configure Caption:
    • Category: Select Figure or Table from the dropdown menu (this assigns the correct numbering sequence).
    • Numbering: Choose your numbering format (e.g., 1, 2, 3).
    • Caption: Type your descriptive title in the text box.
    • Position: Choose whether the caption appears above or below the item.
  4. Click OK.

Step 2: Insert the Cross-Reference

Once your captions are generated, you can link to them anywhere in your text.

  1. Place your cursor in the document where you want the reference to appear (for example, typing: “as shown in”).
  2. Open the Fields dialog by going to Insert > Cross-reference… (or press Ctrl + F2 and select the Cross-references tab).
  3. In the Type list on the left, select Figure or Table.
  4. In the Selection box in the middle, click on the specific caption you want to reference.
  5. In the Refer using box on the right, choose how the reference should appear in the text:
    • Category and Number: Displays “Figure 1” or “Table 1”.
    • Numbering: Displays only the digit (e.g., “1”).
    • Reference text: Inserts the entire caption text.
    • Page: Inserts the page number where the figure/table is located.
  6. Click Insert, then click Close.

Step 3: Update Automated References

When you insert new figures or rearrange existing ones, LibreOffice Writer updates the numbering sequence. To ensure all in-text references reflect these changes immediately: