WD: Find/Replace with Wildcard Finds All Punctuation

• Microsoft Word 97 for Windows
• Microsoft Word 98 Macintosh Edition

SYMPTOMS

When you use wildcards to find punctuation at the end of a word, Word finds every instance of that punctuation.

WORKAROUND

Method 1: Finding Punctuation That Exists at the End of a Word or Number

To find the punctuation that exists at the end of a word or number (for example, This is a test: or 19: ) and is followed by a space, follow these steps:

1. On the Edit menu, click Find or Replace.

   NOTE: If you see More, click it.

2. Select the Use Wildcards check box.

3. Click No Formatting, if available; otherwise, go to step 4.

4. Click Special and choose "End of Word >" (without the quotation marks).

5. In the Find What box, after the > type the punctuation you want to find and press the spacebar. The Find What box should now resemble the following:

         >:space
   

6. Click Find Next.

Method 2: Finding Punctuation That Separates Words or Numbers

To find punctuation that exists separating words or numbers (for example, test:test or 19:91), follow these steps:

1. On the Edit menu, click Find or Replace.

   NOTE: If you see More, click it.

2. Select the Use Wildcards check box.

3. Click No Formatting, if available; otherwise, go to step 4.

4. Click Special and choose "End of Word >."

5. In the Find What box, after the > type in the punctuation being searched for. Then, click Special again and select "Beginning of Word <". The Find What box should now resemble the following:

         >:<
   

6. Click Find Next.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the products listed at the beginning of this article. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about the find and replace function, click the Office Assistant, type "find and replace," click Search, and then click "Find and replace."

NOTE: If the Assistant is hidden, click the Office Assistant button on the Standard toolbar. If Word Help is not installed on your computer, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q120802
   TITLE     : Office: How to Add/Remove a Single Office
               Program or Component

   ARTICLE-ID: Q157461
   TITLE     : WD: Find/Replace <End Of Word> Malfunctions with Punctuation