WD: Macro to Automate Word Templates Using [Placeholders]

ID: Q130690

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, versions 6.0, 6.0.1
Microsoft Word for Windows NT, version 6.0
Microsoft Word for Windows 95, versions 7.0, 7.0a

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

Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language being demonstrated and the tools used to create and debug procedures. Microsoft support professionals can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific needs. If you have limited programming experience, you may want to contact the Microsoft fee-based consulting line at (800) 936-5200. For more information about the support options available from Microsoft, please see the following page on the World Wide Web:

   http://www.microsoft.com/supportnet/refguide/

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.

Additional query words:

Keywords          : kbmacro kbprg kbdtacode wordnt kbmacroexample ntword macword word6 word7 word95 
Version           : WINDOWS:6.0,6.0a,6.0c,7.0,7.0a; MACINTOSH:6.0,6.0.1,6.0.1a
Platform          : MACINTOSH WINDOWS
Issue type        : kbhowto

Last Reviewed: April 9, 1999