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: Saving Find and Replace Operations.

Saving Find and Replace Operations

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated November 12, 2022)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, Word in Microsoft 365, and 2021


When processing documents, Melinda often has to do the same Find and Replace operations again and again. For instance, a common operation may be to search for a report name in an old format and replace it with one in a new format. This can be done easily enough using Find and Replace, but Melinda would love a way to be able to save her common Find and Replace operations so that she can call them up and execute them at will. (This is easy to do in some programs, such as InDesign.)

Perhaps the easiest way to do this in Word is by recording a macro that performs your Find and Replace operation. The macro could then be "replayed" whenever you need to do the same operation, even on other documents. You could even assign the macro to the Quick Access Toolbar or a shortcut key.

If you don't want to use a macro, then you might be interested in third-party add-in that can enhance how you use Find and Replace. Check out MegaReplacer from The Editorium:

https://www.editorium.com/14843.htm

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (11136) 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: Saving Find and Replace Operations.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

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