Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. 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: Repeating Actions.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated October 15, 2024)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021
If you want to repeat an action a single time, you can either press the F4 key or Ctrl+Y. What if you want to repeat it more than once, however? Granted, you could press these keys multiple times, but this can get tedious if you want to repeat something fifty or sixty times.
The answer is to use a nifty little macro that will do the repeating for you:
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. 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:
Sub DoRepeat()
Dim CountValue As Integer
CountValue = Val(InputBox("How many times?"))
If CountValue > 0 Then Repeat (CountValue)
End Sub
The trick is to assign DoRepeat to a keyboard shortcut, such as Alt+R. Then, you can perform an action, press Alt+R, enter the number of times to repeat, and be on your way. You should note that if the action you did prior to invoking the macro cannot be repeated for some reason, you will get an error when the macro tries to run.
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 (9081) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Repeating Actions.
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!
Creating macros can help extend what you can do in Word. If you work with macros, you know that creating macros from ...
Discover MoreNeed to have your macro insert a bit of text into your document? It's easy to do using the TypeText method.
Discover MoreDocuments consist of a series of paragraphs, arranged in the order in which you need them. What if you need to reverse ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
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 © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments