Protecting Document Areas from Global Replacements

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated June 25, 2022)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 365

Fred often needs to use Find and Replace in editing his documents. However, there are certain areas of the documents in which he wants nothing changed. Short of changing those areas to images (which Fred is loath to do), he wonders if there is a way to lock or protect those areas so he can still use global replacing in the rest of the document.

The only way to do this is to place the information you don't want changed into its own section, and then protect that section. Specifically, place a continuous section break just before what you want to protect and then place one just after the information. Then, apply the protection as described in this tip:

https://tips.net/T7071

If your document includes multiple blocks of text that need to be protected, you'll need to mark each of those blocks with section breaks and apply the protection to each of them.

Once successfully completed, you can use Replace All in your document, and the info in protected sections will not be disturbed.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (10271) 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. Learn more about Allen...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Unwanted Read-Only Workbook Status

Once a workbook assumes a "read-only" status, it can be a real pain to get that status removed. This tip explains why and ...

Discover More

Adding the Set Print Area Tool

Spend a lot of time defining print areas in your workbooks? You might benefit by adding a Set Print Area tool that makes ...

Discover More

Sharing Your Workbook

Need to allow others to contribute to your Excel workbook? It's easy to do if you just share it. This tip provides an ...

Discover More

Discover the Power of Microsoft Office This beginner-friendly guide reveals the expert tips and strategies you need to skyrocket your productivity and use Office 365 like a pro. Mastering software like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is essential to be more efficient and advance your career. Simple lessons guide you through every step, providing the knowledge you need to get started. Check out Microsoft Office 365 For Beginners today!

More WordTips (ribbon)

Using Find and Replace to Change Text Case

Can you really use Find and Replace to change the case of text in your document? Not really, but that shouldn't stop you ...

Discover More

Finding and Replacing in Headers and Footers

If you need to make replacements in your document, the Find and Replace tool is the go-to option. If you want to replace ...

Discover More

Special Differences when Searching

Word includes two different search engines. Which search engine you choose to use will dictate what Word shows as ...

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 seven more than 3?

2022-06-25 06:57:11

Timothy Rylatt

"The only way to do this is to place the information you don't want changed into its own section, and then protect that section."

This is incorrect. The text can be placed inside a Rich Text Content Control with its properties set to disable editing and deletion.

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.