How Do I Create a Macro in Microsoft Office Word?
Macros are computer patterns that automatically run a set of commands. You use macros to speed up your workflow and ease repetitive tasks or commands. Once you've set up a macro correctly, it also reduces the element of human error from future repetitions. In the '80s macros were popular amongs scriptwriters, when large document needed to be formatted to a particular style. Macros are used throughout programming, database management, spreadsheet analysis and in software such as Microsoft Word.
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Instructions
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Using Built-In Macros
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Open Microsoft Word.
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Type in a few sentences so that you can practice using macros. Select all of the text.
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Click "Tools," then "Macros" and then "Macros" again. This will open the macros window with a predefined set of built-in macros.
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Scroll down the list until you find "Bold," then double-click it. All of your selected text will now be switched to bold formatting. This is a basic macro.
Recording A Macro
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Open Microsoft Word or start a new document and then type a few sentences.
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Click "Tools," then "Macros" and then "Record New Macro."
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Name your macro; this must be a unique name that has not already been used. Click "OK" to begin recording your macro. You are going to create a simple macro that makes the text bold and then centers it.
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Hold "Ctrl" and press "A." This will select all of your text. Press "Ctrl" and press "B." This will make your text bold. Hold "Ctrl" and press "J." This will justify your text.
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Click the blue "Stop" square in the macro-recording window.
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Delete your text and retype a few sentences with standard formatting.
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Click "Tools," then "Macros" and then "Macros" again.
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Locate your macro by name and double-click it. The text you have typed will now be bold and centered.
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Tips & Warnings
You need to be as efficient as possible when recording a macro. Plan what you want the macro to do first and learn the shortcut keys for the relevant commands. Macros record every keystroke and unnecessary keystrokes can lead to errors in the macro.
