Hi Regina

Yes, you can do this.

The first time the number appears, type it in. Then, select the text and
choose Insert > Bookmark. Give your bookmark a useful name (eg
BuildingArea).

When you want to include the text of that bookmark elsewhere, type
ctrl-F9, and within the brackets Word gives you, type REF BuildingArea.
So it looks like { REF BuildingArea }

Note that you can't type the {} braces by hand. You must use ctrl-F9 and
type between the braces that Word inserts for you. Once you've typed the
field, use F9 to update it, or ctrl-a F9 to update all fields in the
document.

Three hints:
1. Tools > Options > View. Set Field Shading to Always. Your reference
fields will then be shaded in grey (the shading won't print). So you can
see what's a field and what's not.

2. Tools > Options > View. Make sure Bookmarks is ticked. Then, you'll
see square brackets around your bookmark, which will help you
accidentally avoid typing something extra within the bookmark.

3. Tools > Options > Print. Tick Update fields. This will force Word to
update the fields whenever you print. This can avoid the embarrassment
of making a last-minute change and forgetting to update the fields
before you print out the document for the boss.

Hope this helps.

Shauna Kelly.  Microsoft MVP.
http://www.shaunakelly.com/word
Melbourne, Australia