Automatically highlight all text between a given set of characters?

Question

I'm writing a document and have some place holders that I've marked with [[*]] (where the * is a text description of the information that belongs in the place holder.

Is there a way to automatically highlight the brackets and text in the place holders so that they are easy to spot as a go through the document looking for them?

Thanks,

Rob

Answer 1

A wild card search and replace should work:

Find:  ([[*]])

Replace with: \1 

and with the cursor in the replace box, click highlight.

Be sure that wildcard is checked.

Pam

Answer 2

Pam,

This works perfectly.  Thank you.  I've been wondering how to do a search and replace where a variable value in wasn't replaced.  I understand how the Find above works, but would you mind explaining or pointing me in the direction of a resource on how the "1" in the replace with: box works?

Thanks,

Rob

Answer 3

Hi Rob,

Actually, no. What would happen in the scenario described is that you would type [[ followed by a space and it would then appear as [[*]] with the requisite highlighting. You would then replace the * with the required text. This process therefore highlights the placeholder as you type it leaving you to edit the text between the brackets body of the text.

Does that suit your need?

Best,

Sharon

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Sharon Roffey

Queensland, Australia

Answer 4

Thank you Sharon,

The only problem is that the * in [[*]] is variable (it is different in every place holder).  The solution you propose would only work if the text between the [[ ]] was always the same right?

Thanks again,

Rob

Answer 5

Hi Rob,

My first thought on this was to use AutoCorrect.

The AutoCorrect option would be perfect for this:

1. Type [[*]], add suitable highlighting and select this text
2. Click on the Microsoft Office button
3. Click on the Word Options button
4. Click on Proofing in menu on the left
5. Click on the AutoCorrect Options button
6. Click on the Formatted text option under Replace text as you type

7. Type a brief code to (e.g. [[) the Replace: text box

   >> You will see that text you selected in 1. above will already be added in the With: text box and will show the highlighting if you selected the Formatted text

        as described above.

8. Click on OK to confirm

That should do the trick! Next time you type the characters [[ followed by a space you will get the formatted version.

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All the best,

Sharon

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Sharon Roffey

Queensland, Australia