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The find what text contains a pattern match expression which is not valid

Anonymous
2022-11-18T14:00:54+00:00

I wanna change some topics for italic and underline.

From this:

(1) Constitution: the vast majority of contemporary constitutions describe the basic principles of the state, the structures and processes of government and the fundamental rights of citizens in a higher law that cannot be unilaterally changed by an ordinary legislative act. This higher law is usually referred to as a constitution.

To this:

(1) Constitution: the vast majority of contemporary constitutions describe the basic principles of the state, the structures and processes of government and the fundamental rights of citizens in a higher law that cannot be unilaterally changed by an ordinary legislative act. This higher law is usually referred to as a constitution.

To do so, I'm trying to use these wildcards:

Find what: (()(*)(:)
Replace with: \1\2\3 with font italic and underline

However, it appears the following error: "The find what text contains a pattern match expression which is not valid".

How can I solve this problem?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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  1. HansV 462.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2022-11-19T11:47:31+00:00

    You could make the folder containing the document a Trusted Location for Word.

    File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings... > Trusted Locations > Add New Location...

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  1. HansV 462.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2022-11-18T14:40:38+00:00

    Use

    \(*:

    in the Find what box, and

    ^&

    in the Replace with box. Don't forget to tick the check box Use wildcards.

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  1. HansV 462.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2022-11-18T15:57:54+00:00

    I don't know how to do that. Theoretically, this should work:

    \(?{1,25}:

    but for some reason it has the same effect as (*: on my PC.

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  1. HansV 462.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2022-11-18T21:47:16+00:00

    You could create the following macro in your default template Normal.dotm:

    Sub ItalicUnderline()
    With ActiveDocument.Content.Find
        .ClearFormatting
        .Text = "\([!^13]@:"
        .MatchWildcards = True
        .Replacement.ClearFormatting
        With .Replacement.Font
            .Italic = True
            .Underline = wdUnderlineSingle
        End With
        .Execute Replace:=wdReplaceAll
    End With
End Sub

    You can then run it whenever you need it. You can even assign it to a Quick Access Toolbar button and/or a keyboard shortcut.

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  2. Anonymous
    2022-11-18T14:49:49+00:00

    Thank you so much!!!

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