Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated October 3, 2025)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021
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:
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 2021.
Create Custom Apps with VBA! Discover how to extend the capabilities of Office 365 applications with VBA programming. Written in clear terms and understandable language, the book includes systematic tutorials and contains both intermediate and advanced content for experienced VB developers. Designed to be comprehensive, the book addresses not just one Office application, but the entire Office suite. Check out Mastering VBA for Microsoft Office 365 today!
If you need to move the insertion point within your macro, then you'll want to note the HomeKey method, described in this ...
Discover MoreDo you need to copy, within a macro, a range of pages? Because pages can be so fluid in Word, this can be a bit tricky. ...
Discover MoreOne of the powerful programming structures provided in VBA allows you to conditionally execute commands. The If ... End ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2025-10-29 12:44:45
Barry
For a complex document I get significantly different results using the above macro, the Word statistics dialog and Find and replace dialog. (1285; 1060/1087*; 526 respectively)
The document has a Front page with a graphic and Title/Subtitle Fields; headers & footers; Tables and footnotes/endnotes. Oh! Ans a Table of Contents.
I'm having difficulty sorting out what parts of the document are included in each count, although I think I've established that the statistics dialog that displays with a click on 'words' in the status bar, just includes the main document (including figure captions etc and Table cells) with the option of *including text boxes, footnots and endnotes.
Has anyone any help/advice to clarify this please!
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 © 2026 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments