Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, Word in Microsoft 365, and 2021. If you are using an earlier version (Word 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Word, click here: Arranging Paragraphs.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated December 16, 2023)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, Word in Microsoft 365, and 2021
Sometimes you want to move a paragraph or two around in your document. For instance, you might want to move a paragraph from its current location to before the preceding paragraph. You can quickly move paragraphs by following these steps:
Remember that to Word, a paragraph is defined as any text that is terminated by a hard return. It is full paragraphs that are moved by this shortcut. (You can also use this shortcut to move rows in a table.)
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (10625) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, Word in Microsoft 365, and 2021. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Arranging Paragraphs.
Create Custom Apps with VBA! Discover how to extend the capabilities of Office 2013 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Access) with VBA programming, using it for writing macros, automating Office applications, and creating custom applications. Check out Mastering VBA for Office 2013 today!
We've all experienced the problem: You start selecting a large block of text using the mouse, and before you know it the ...
Discover MoreWord provides access to a wide variety of characters either from the keyboard or from the Symbol dialog box. Up and above ...
Discover MoreWant to jump to a particular page in your document? Word makes it easy; just pull up the Go To tab of the Find and ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2023-12-16 11:50:58
Brian Lair
Oops, make that Shift+Alt in my other comment, not Ctl+Alt -- shows how much I pay attention! :-)
2023-12-16 11:49:35
Brian Lair
I didn't know that Ctl+Alt-Up/Down would also move table rows, so this tip was really helpful!
For regular paragraphs, another option is to put the document in Outline view, then drag the paragraphs up & down as needed.
Got a version of Word that uses the ribbon interface (Word 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the menu interface.
Visit the WordTips channel on YouTube
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2024 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments