Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Word in Microsoft 365. 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: Renaming a Macro.

Renaming a Macro

by Allen Wyatt
(last updated September 14, 2019)

A macro is nothing more than a series of instructions you want the computer to execute. It is a program which is run in the context of the application you are using. As you create macros, you will probably come across a need to rename a few of the existing macros. To do this it's easiest to work with the VBA Editor. Follow these steps:

Press Alt+F8. Word displays the Macros dialog box.
In the list of available macros, choose the one you want to rename. The Edit button should become active.
Click Edit. The VBA Editor is started, and you see the macro you chose to edit.
At the top of the macro you'll see the procedure definition, consisting of the word "Sub" followed by the name of the macro. Change the actual name in this line. (Don't change the word Sub or the space that follows the word Sub, and don't change anything starting with the left parenthesis that follows the name of the macro.)
Close the VBA Editor.

That's it; the macro is now renamed to whatever name you used in step 4.

You should be aware that when you change a macro's name, that doesn't change the name in any other procedures in which the original name may be referenced. Nor does it change the macro name in any customizations you may have made to the ribbon. You will need to track down anyplace the old macro name is referenced and manually change the name there as well.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (7915) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Word in Microsoft 365. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Renaming a Macro.

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...

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