Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated January 5, 2024)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021
Mia often edits documents containing run-on sentences. Invariably these are two sentences that are currently joined by a comma. Mia wants to replace the comma with a period and then capitalize the first letter of the next word. Doing this manually gets repetitive and time-consuming, so she would like to create a macro and a keyboard shortcut to handle the process.
You could actually record a macro to handle this type of edit. Put your insertion point to the left of the comma and start the macro recorder. You can then perform these steps:
You can now stop the macro recorder. The macro could be assigned to a shortcut key or added to the Quick Access Toolbar. If you examine the macro, you will find that it looks similar to the following:
Sub FixRunOn() Selection.MoveRight Unit:=wdCharacter, _ Count:=1, Extend:=wdExtend Selection.TypeText Text:="." Selection.MoveRight Unit:=wdCharacter, _ Count:=1 Selection.MoveRight Unit:=wdCharacter, _ Count:=1, Extend:=wdExtend Selection.Range.Case = wdUpperCase End Sub
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 (10558) 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: Dealing with Run-On Sentences.
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!
Displaying non-printing characters can help you better understand the formatting and contents of your documents. What do ...
Discover MoreDocuments can be subdivided into sections, with each of them formatted differently. If you want to select all the text in ...
Discover MoreWant a really quick way to select text? Just combine the Shift key with a simple mouse click.
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2019-02-25 14:19:41
Malcolm Patterson
Step 6 can also be performed by pressing SHIFT+F3, which toggles the case of selected text from lowercase to initial cap to all caps and back to lowercase. If text is not selected but the cursor is within a word, then that word's case changes. (I generally prefer a key combination to a mouse click.)
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