Determining the Number of Paragraphs in a Document

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated June 22, 2019)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Word in Microsoft 365

Macros are often used for processing an entire document. It is not unusual to have a macro step through all the paragraphs in a document and make changes based on the information in the paragraph. If you need to step through all the paragraphs in a document, it is helpful to find out how many paragraphs there are. The way you do that in a VBA macro is through the use of the Count property with the Paragraphs collection, as follows:

iParCount = ActiveDocument.Paragraphs.Count

The Paragraphs collection contains all of the paragraphs in the document, each in its own object. The Count property simply returns a value indicating how many objects (paragraphs) are in the collection. In the above example, this value is assigned to the iParCount variable. You can then use this count in doing any processing you need to.

Remember, as well, that paragraphs can be "empty" in Word. If someone types some information and then presses the Enter key twice, they have just created an empty paragraph with that second press of Enter. This increases the paragraph count, so it is a good idea to display non-printing characters in a document if you are trying to figure out how VBA derived the paragraph count that it did. The rule is that each press of Enter results in a new document paragraph.

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 (5679) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 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. Learn more about Allen...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Understanding Frames and Text Boxes

What is the difference between frames and text boxes? Why use one over the other? Find out here.

Discover More

Mail Merge Magic (Table of Contents)

The mail merge tool available in Word is powerful, allowing you to use data from a variety of sources to create hundreds ...

Discover More

Converting List Types

There are two types of common lists you can create in Word: bulleted lists and numbered lists. You can switch between the ...

Discover More

Learning Made Easy! Quickly teach yourself how to format, publish, and share your content using Word 2013. With Step by Step, you set the pace, building and practicing the skills you need, just when you need them! Check out Microsoft Word 2013 Step by Step today!

More WordTips (ribbon)

Changing a Macro Description

Part of documenting macros is to provide a good, succinct description of what they do. Changing the description of an ...

Discover More

Protecting Macros in a Corporate Environment

When you use a computer at work, that computer may be subject to periodic updating or replacement. If you want to protect ...

Discover More

Trimming Spaces from Strings

When processing text with a macro, you often need to remove extraneous spaces from the text. VBA provides three handy ...

Discover More

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.

Notify me about new comments ONLY FOR THIS TIP

Notify me about new comments ANYWHERE ON THIS SITE

Hide my email address

What is 2 + 2?

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.