Applies ToWord for Microsoft 365 Word for the web Word 2024 Word 2021 Word 2019 Word 2016

In Word, you can automate frequently used tasks by creating and running macros. A macro is a series of commands and instructions that you group together as a single command to accomplish a task automatically.

To save time on tasks you do often, bundle the steps into a macro. First, you record the macro. Then, you can run the macro by clicking a button on the Quick Access Toolbar or pressing a combination of keys. It depends on how you set it up.

  1. Select View > Macros > Record Macro.

    Record Macro command

  2. Type a name for the macro.

    Macro name box

  3. To use this macro in any new documents you make, be sure the Store macro in box says All Documents (Normal.dotm).

    Box for choosing where to store a macro

  4. To run your macro when you click a button, select Button.

    Click to assign the macro to a button

  5. Select the new macro (it's named something like Normal.NewMacros.<your macro name>) and select Add.

    The macro and the Add button

  6. Select Modify.

    Modify button in the Customize the Quick Access Toolbar box

  7. Select a button image, type the name you want, and select OK twice.

    Button options in the Modify Button box

  8. Now it's time to record the steps. Select the commands or press the keys for each step in the task. Word records your clicks and keystrokes.

    Note: Use the keyboard to select text while you're recording your macro. Macros don't record selections made with a mouse.

  9. To stop recording, select View > Macros > Stop Recording.

    Stop Recording command

The button for your macro appears on the Quick Access Toolbar.

Macro button on the Quick Access Toolbar

To run the macro, select the button.

  1. Select View > Macros > Record Macro.

    Record Macro command

  2. Type a name for the macro.

    Macro name box

  3. To use this macro in any new documents you make, be sure the Store macro in box says All Documents (Normal.dotm).

    Box for choosing where to store a macro

  4. To run your macro when you press a keyboard shortcut, select Keyboard.

    Click to assign the macro to a keyboard shortcut

  5. Type a combination of keys in the Press new shortcut key box.

  6. Check to see whether that combination's already assigned to something else. If it's already assigned, try a different combination.

  7. To use this keyboard shortcut in any new documents you make, be sure the Save changes in box says Normal.dotm.

  8. Select Assign.

  9. Now it's time to record the steps. Select the commands or press the keys for each step in the task. Word records your clicks and keystrokes.

    Note: Use the keyboard to select text while you're recording your macro. Macros don't record selections made with a mouse.

  10. To stop recording, select View > Macros > Stop Recording.

    Stop Recording command

To run the macro, press the keyboard shortcut keys.

To run a macro, select the button on the Quick Access Toolbar, press the keyboard shortcut, or you can run the macro from the Macros list.

  1. Select View > Macros > View Macros.

    View Macros command

  2. In the list under Macro name, select the macro you want to run.

  3. Select Run.

To make a macro from one document available in all new documents, add it to the Normal.dotm template.

  1. Open the document that contains the macro.

  2. Select View > Macros > View Macros.

    View Macros command

  3. Select Organizer.

    Organizer button in the View Macros box

  4. Select the macro you want to add to the Normal.dotm template, and then select Copy.

  1. Select File > Options > Customize Ribbon.

  2. Under Choose commands from, select Macros.

  3. Select the macro you want.

  4. Under Customize the ribbon, select the tab and custom group where you want to add the macro.

If you don't have a custom group, select New Group. Then select Rename and type a name for your custom group.

  1. Select Add.

  2. Select Rename to select an image for the macro and type the name you want.

  3. Select OK twice.

  1. On the Developer tab, in the Code group, select Macros.

  2. In the Macro name box, type a name for the macro.

    Note: If you give a new macro the same name as a built-in macro in Word, the new macro actions will replace the built-in macro. To view a list of built-in macros, select Word Commands in the Macros in dropdown list.

  3. In the Macros in list, select the template or document in which you want to store the macro.

    To make your macro available in all documents, be sure to select Normal.dotm.

  4. Select Create to open the Visual Basic Editor.

After you open the Visual Basic Editor, you might want more information about working with Visual Basic for Applications. For more information, select Microsoft Visual Basic Help on the Help menu or press F1.

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