Writing a Macro from Scratch

Many of the tips used in WordTips rely upon macros in order to run. Some readers may not know how to enter a macro from scratch in Word. There are actually two ways you can create macros. First you can record a macro, which is appropriate when you want to record a series of steps you perform quite often. The second method of creating a macro, writing one from scratch, is much more powerful.

To create a macro from scratch, follow these steps if you are using Word 2007:

1. Make sure the Developer tab of the ribbon is displayed.
2. In the Code group, click Macros. Word displays the Macros dialog box.
3. Using the Macros In drop-down list (near the bottom of the dialog box), select where you want your new macro stored. Select Normal.dotm (Global Template) if you want your macro available in all documents; select a different template if you want the macro available only with that particular document template. You can even assign a macro to a specific document.
4. In the Macro Name box, type a descriptive name you want assigned to the macro you are writing. (Make sure the name doesn't have any spaces in it.) Optionally, you can enter information in the Description box.
5. Click on Create. The VBA Editor is started and you can write your macro.
6. When you are through, close the macro window by selecting the Close and Return to Microsoft Word option from the File menu, or press Alt+Q.

If you cannot see the Developer tab of the ribbon (step 1), then you need to turn it on so that it is displayed on your system. You do so by following these steps:

1. Click the Office button and then clicking the Word Options button. Word displays the Word Options dialog box.
2. Make sure the Popular option is selected at the left of the dialog box. (Click here to see a related figure.)
3. Ensure there is a check mark in the Show Developer Tab in Ribbon check box.
4. Click OK.

The steps for writing a macro from scratch are slightly different if you are using a version of Word prior to Word 2007:

1. Choose the Macro option from the Tools menu, then choose Macros from the resulting submenu. Word displays the Macros dialog box.
2. In the Macros In box (at the bottom of the dialog box), select where you want your new macro stored. Select Normal.dot (Global Template) if you want your macro available in all documents; select a different template if you want the macro available only with the current document template. You can even assign a macro to a specific document.
3. In the Macro Name box, type a descriptive name you want assigned to the macro you are writing. Optionally, you can enter information in the Description box.
4. Click on Create. The VBA Editor is started and you can write your macro.
5. When you are through, close the macro window by selecting the Close and Return to Microsoft Word option from the File menu, or press Alt+Q.