1. Macros
Use the tools in Word's Word Options dialog box to display the Developer tab on the ribbon.
Macros are a great way to automate your work in Microsoft Word. A macro is a set of tasks that can be performed by pressing a shortcut key, clicking a Quick Access toolbar button, or by selecting the macro from a list.
Word gives you a wide variety of options for creating your macro. It can include any command in Microsoft Word.
The options for creating a macro are on the Developer tab of the ribbon. By default, Word 2007 doesn't display the options for creating a macro. To display the options, you must turn on Word's Developer tab.
To display the Developer tab, Click the Office button and select Word Options. Click the Popular button in the left side of the dialog box.
Select Show Developer tab in the Ribbon. Click OK. The Developer tab will appear to the right of the other tabs on Word's ribbon.
2. Preparing to Record Your Word Macro
In Word's Record Macro dialog box, you can name and describe your custom macro. You also have options for creating shortcuts to your macro.
Now you're ready to get started creating your macro. Open the Developer tab and click Record Macro in the Code section.
Enter a name for the Macro in the Macro Name box. The name you choose can't be the same as a built-in macro. Otherwise, the built-in macro will be replaced with the one you create.
Use the Store Macro in box to select the template or document in which to store the macro. To make the macro available in all documents you create, select the Normal.dotm template. Enter a description for your macro.
You have several different options for your macro. You can create a Quick Access toolbar button for your macro. You can also create a keyboard shortcut, so that the macro can be activated with a hotkey.
If you don't want to create a button or shortcut key, click OK now to begin recording; to use your macro, you will need to click Macros from the Developer tab and select your macro. Proceed to step 5 for more instructions.
Word let's you create a button for your custom macro on the Quick Access toolbar.
To create a Quick Access button for your macro, click Button on the Record Macro box. This will open the Customize Quick Access Toolbar options.
Specify document in which you would like the Quick Access toolbar button to appear. Select All Documents if you want the button to appear while you're working on any document in Word.
In the Choose Command From dialog box, select your macro and click Add.
To customize your button's appearance, click Modify. Under Symbol, select the symbol you would like to display on your macro's button.
Enter a display name for your macro. This will be displayed in ScreenTips. Click OK. Click OK.
For instructions on recording the macro, continue to step 5. Or, keep reading for help creating a keyboard shortcut for your macro.
4. Assigning a Keyboard Shortcut to Your Macro
Word lets you create a custom shortcut key for your macro.
To assign a keyboard shortcut to your macro, click Keyboard in the Record Macro dialog box.
Select the macro that you're recording in the Commands box. In the Press new shortcut key box, enter your shortcut key. Click Assign and then click Close. Click OK.
5. Recording your Macro
After you select your macro options, Word will automatically begin recording the macro.
You can use keyboard shortcuts to perform the actions you would like to include in the macro. You can also use the mouse to click buttons on the ribbons and dialog boxes. However, you cannot use the mouse to select text; you must use the keyboard navigation arrows to select text.
Note that everything you do will be recorded until you click Stop Recording in the Code section of the Developer ribbon.
