Finding a Change in Typeface

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated February 3, 2024)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 365


Derek needs a way to find, in a document, the next time the typeface (font name) changes. For instance, if the insertion point is within the middle of the document, he would like Word to let him know, starting at that point, where the next change occurs. Derek wonders if there is a way to accomplish such a task.

There is no built-in way to accomplish this task, though you may be able to visually tell when the typeface has changed. I can often tell by simply increasing the zoom factor for the document (say, to 200% or 250%) and then visually scanning the document to look for changes in appearance. Of course, this will depend on the visual disparity between the two adjacent fonts.

If you prefer a macro-based solution, you could create one that saves the typeface name at the current insertion point location and then steps through each remaining character of the document. If the typeface differs from the original one, then you can notify the user. Here is an example of such a macro:

Sub ChangeOfFont()
    Dim fntName As String
    Dim aRange As Range

    Set aRange = Selection.Range
    aRange.Collapse Direction:=wdCollapseStart
    aRange.MoveEnd Unit:=wdCharacter
    fntName = aRange.Font.Name
    Do
        aRange.MoveEnd Unit:=wdCharacter
        aRange.MoveStart Unit:=wdCharacter
    Loop Until aRange.Font.Name <> fntName Or _
      aRange.Bookmarks.Exists("\EndOfDoc")
    aRange.Select
    If aRange.Bookmarks.Exists("\EndOfDoc") Then
        MsgBox "End of document"
    Else
        MsgBox "Font change from " & fntName & " to " & aRange.Font.Name
    End If
End Sub

The majority of work is done in the Do loop, where each character's font is checked to see if it has changed. Note that the loop also checks to see if the end of the document is reached, at which point you would want the macro to stop.

Note:

If you would like to know how to use the macros described on this page (or on any other page on the WordTips sites), I've prepared a special page that includes helpful information. Click here to open that special page in a new browser tab.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (5131) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 365.

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. ...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Combining Numbers and Text in a Cell

There are times when it can be beneficial to combine both numbers and text in the same cell. This can be easily done ...

Discover More

Listing Documents with Passwords

Do you need a list of documents that require a password or that require a particular password to open? Word doesn't ...

Discover More

Dissecting a String

VBA is a versatile programming language. It is especially good at working with string data. Here are the different VBA ...

Discover More

The First and Last Word on Word! Bestselling For Dummies author Dan Gookin puts his usual fun and friendly candor back to work to show you how to navigate Word 2013. Spend more time working and less time trying to figure it all out! Check out Word 2013 For Dummies today!

More WordTips (ribbon)

Declaring Variables

Declaring variables in a macro is good programming practice. Here’s how to do it and how to make sure they are all ...

Discover More

Counting Words the Old Fashioned Way

One way to specify word count is to count characters and divide by five. If you still need this old-fashioned way of ...

Discover More

Editing Word's Built-in Commands

Want to configure Word to do just what you want it to? You can even go so far as to change the actual way in which Word ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 7 - 7?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)


This Site

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.

Videos
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.