Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated August 16, 2025)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, 2024, and Word in Microsoft 365
Word has a powerful search and replace capability that lets you search for virtually anything in your document. Word even includes codes you can use to search for special items. (Click the Special button in the Find and Replace dialog to see what codes are available.) One thing you cannot search for, however, is text boxes. There is no special code that allows you to find text boxes, and you can't search for them using the Object Browser.
You can, however, use a macro to look through a document and stop when it finds a text box. The following macro stops on each text box it finds and asks the user if that is the text box wanted.
Sub SearchTextBox() Dim shp As Shape Dim sTemp As String Dim iAnswer As Integer For Each shp In ActiveDocument.Range.ShapeRange If shp.Type = msoTextBox Then shp.Select Selection.ShapeRange.TextFrame.TextRange.Select sTemp = Selection.Text sTemp = Left(sTemp,20) iAnswer = MsgBox("Box contains text beginning with:" & vbCrLf _ & sTemp & vbCrLf & "Stop here?", vbYesNo, "Located Text Box") If iAnswer = vbYes Then Exit For End If Next shp 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 (12249) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, 2024, and Word in Microsoft 365. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Finding Text Boxes.
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!
Many people use text boxes to help organize and layout information on the page. Here's how you can add text boxes to your ...
Discover MoreText boxes are often used as design elements in a document layout. If you have linked text boxes, you may have noticed ...
Discover MoreDrop shadows add a nice touch to text boxes, making it seem like they are hovering above the page. Here are the simple ...
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