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

Disabling Moving Between Worksheets

If you want someone to not be able to move from one worksheet to another in a workbook, you've got your work cut out for ...

Discover More

Floating Footer

Need some specific text to appear just below the end of the text on the last page of your document? You can accomplish ...

Discover More

Understanding the Clipboard

You can use the Clipboard to move information around in Word. You actually have access to two different clipboards in ...

Discover More

Comprehensive VBA Guide Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) is the language used for writing macros in all Office programs. This complete guide shows both professionals and novices how to master VBA in order to customize the entire Office suite for their needs. Check out Mastering VBA for Office 2010 today!

More WordTips (ribbon)

Getting User Input in a Dialog Box

Want to grab some interactive input from a user in your macro? The best way to do that is with the InputBox function, ...

Discover More

Making Macros Available without Using the Normal Template

If you save your macros in your Normal template, they'll be available whenever you are using Word. What if you don't want ...

Discover More

Using Message Boxes

If your macro needs to communicate with a user, one simple way to do it is to use a message box. Here's how to use this ...

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 nine more than 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.