stmoritz, think I've got what you want. try this code.
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Sub UpdateReturnsInMonthlyComment() On Error Resume Next Dim w As Object Dim prevUpdateLinksAtOpen As Boolean Dim i As Integer Application.ScreenUpdating = False ActiveSheet.Shapes("MonthlyComment").Select Set w = GetObject("Word.Application") If Err.Number <> 0 Then Set w = CreateObject("Word.Application") End If prevUpdateLinksAtOpen = w.Options.UpdateLinksAtOpen w.Options.UpdateLinksAtOpen = False Selection.Verb Verb:=xlPrimary For i = 1 To w.ActiveDocument.Fields.Count w.ActiveDocument.Fields(i).Update Next i w.Options.UpdateLinksAtOpen = prevUpdateLinksAtOpen w.Quit Set w = Nothing End Sub