This background is called “field shading” and indicates that a script or code has generated the number. Notice that the figure/table number appears with a gray background. To add text to the caption, click after the table/figure number and enter your text. If you select this option, two more options will appear:

Click on the figure or table where you want the caption to appear.The ETDR template is configured to automatically create a list of figures and list of tables, also required by the Graduate School, from the text of your captions. The Graduate School requires that you have a caption for each table and figure in your ETDR.

Captions for figures and tables - Word for Mac 2011