Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, and 2013. 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: Understanding the If ... End If Structure.
Macros in Word are written in a language called Visual Basic for Applications (VBA). Like any other programming language, VBA include certain programming structures used to control how the program executes. One of these structures is the If ... End If structure. The most common use of this structure has the following syntax:
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, and 2013. 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: 
If condition Then
' program statements
Else
' program statements
End If
When a macro is executing, and this structure is encountered, Word tests whatever condition you have specified following the If keyword. If the condition is true, then the program statements right after the Then keyword are executed. If they are not true, then the statements after the Else keyword are executed. The Else keyword and any following program statements (which together make up an Else clause) are optional; you do not need to include them in your macro.
Regardless of whether the program statements in the If ... End If structure are executed, when Word is done with the structure, the macro continues running with the statement following the End If keyword.
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 (13327) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, and 2013. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Understanding the If ... End If Structure.
Comprehensive VBA Guide Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) is the language used for writing macros in all Office programs. This complete guide shows both professionals and novices how to master VBA in order to customize the entire Office suite for their needs. Check out Mastering VBA for Office 2010 today!
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