WD: Macro to Automate Word Templates Using [Placeholders] (130690)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Word for Windows 6.0
  • Microsoft Word for Windows 6.0a
  • Microsoft Word for Windows 6.0c
  • Microsoft Word for the Macintosh 6.0
  • Microsoft Word for the Macintosh 6.0.1
  • Microsoft Word for Windows NT 6.0
  • Microsoft Word for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Word for Windows 95 7.0a
This article was previously published under Q130690

SUMMARY

Some of the templates and wizards in Word automate the creation of documents by showing you where to insert variable information using a placeholder in brackets. However, they do not provide a simple way to move from placeholder to placeholder.

This article contains a macro that moves you from placeholder to placeholder with the use of a shortcut key.

MORE INFORMATION

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An example of the use of placeholders is the Memo Wizard. After you answer the wizard's questions, the wizard creates a document that looks like this example: 
  Date: 01/13/94

   To:  [Names]

   CC:  [Names]
To customize the document, you must select the bracketed placeholder (including the brackets and the text) and type the actual memo information. There is no automated way to move to the next placeholder.

The following macro uses the Pattern Matching feature of Edit Find to move from one placeholder the next. Assigning this macro to a shortcut key makes the process of moving to the next placeholder in the document much easier. 
   Sub Main
      EditFind .Find = "\[*\]", .Direction = 0, .MatchCase = 0, \ 
      .WholeWord = 0, .PatternMatch = 1, .SoundsLike = 0, .Format = 0, \ 
      .Wrap = 2
   End Sub
The following macro moves backward through the placeholders: 
   Sub Main
      EditFind .Find = "\[*\]", .Direction = 1, .MatchCase = 0, \ 
      .WholeWord = 0, .PatternMatch = 1, .SoundsLike = 0, .Format = 0, \ 
      .Wrap = 2
   End Sub
Assigning this macro to a key allows you to move backward and forwards through the placeholders in the document using a convenient method.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:8/16/2005
Keywords:kbdtacode kbhowto kbmacro kbmacroexample kbProgramming KB130690
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