--- src/ooxml/java/org/apache/poi/xwpf/usermodel/XWPFSettings.java	(revision 1151345)
+++ src/ooxml/java/org/apache/poi/xwpf/usermodel/XWPFSettings.java	(working copy)
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ 
 import org.apache.poi.openxml4j.opc.PackageRelationship;
 import org.apache.xmlbeans.XmlOptions;
 import org.openxmlformats.schemas.wordprocessingml.x2006.main.CTDocProtect;
+import org.openxmlformats.schemas.wordprocessingml.x2006.main.CTOnOff;
 import org.openxmlformats.schemas.wordprocessingml.x2006.main.CTSettings;
 import org.openxmlformats.schemas.wordprocessingml.x2006.main.CTZoom;
 import org.openxmlformats.schemas.wordprocessingml.x2006.main.STDocProtect;
@@ -147,6 +148,24 @@ 
         safeGetDocumentProtection().setEnforcement(STOnOff.X_0);
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Enforces fields update on document open (in Word).
+     * In the settings.xml file <br/>
+     * sets the updateSettings value to true (w:updateSettings w:val="true")
+     * 
+     *  NOTICES:
+     *  <ul>
+     *  	<li>Causing Word to ask on open: "This document contains fields that may refer to other files. Do you want to update the fields in this document?"
+     *           (if "Update automatic links at open" is enabled)</li>
+     *  	<li>Flag is removed after saving with changes in Word </li>
+     *  </ul> 
+     */
+    public void setUpdateFields() {
+    	CTOnOff onOff = CTOnOff.Factory.newInstance();
+    	onOff.setVal(STOnOff.TRUE);
+    	ctSettings.setUpdateFields(onOff);
+    }
+    
     @Override
     protected void commit() throws IOException {
 
--- src/ooxml/java/org/apache/poi/xwpf/usermodel/XWPFDocument.java	(revision 1151345)
+++ src/ooxml/java/org/apache/poi/xwpf/usermodel/XWPFDocument.java	(working copy)
@@ -1016,6 +1016,22 @@ 
     }
 
     /**
+     * Enforces fields update on document open (in Word).
+     * In the settings.xml file <br/>
+     * sets the updateSettings value to true (w:updateSettings w:val="true")
+     * 
+     *  NOTICES:
+     *  <ul>
+     *  	<li>Causing Word to ask on open: "This document contains fields that may refer to other files. Do you want to update the fields in this document?"
+     *           (if "Update automatic links at open" is enabled)</li>
+     *  	<li>Flag is removed after saving with changes in Word </li>
+     *  </ul> 
+     */
+    public void enforceUpdateFields() {
+    	settings.setUpdateFields();
+    }
+    
+    /**
      * inserts an existing XWPFTable to the arrays bodyElements and tables
      * @param pos
      * @param table