Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated December 4, 2020)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
It is not uncommon, when editing a document, to transpose two adjacent words. For instance, you may want the text "often used" to be "used often" instead. Word has no native capability to transpose two words, but you can create a macro that will do the transposition for you. The following macro, called Transpose, will do the transposition for you:
Sub Transpose() Selection.MoveLeft Unit:=wdWord, Count:=1, Extend:=wdExtend Selection.Cut Selection.MoveRight Unit:=wdWord, Count:=1 Selection.Paste Selection.MoveLeft Unit:=wdWord, Count:=1 End Sub
To use the macro, all you need to do is position the insertion point between the two words you want to transpose, and then run the macro. The macro selects the word to the left of the insertion point and cuts it. It then moves one word to the right and pastes the word it previously cut.
Note:
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (2) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Word (Word 2007 and later) here: Transposing Two Words.
Learning Made Easy! Quickly teach yourself how to format, publish, and share your content using Word 2021 or Microsoft 365. With Step by Step, you set the pace, building and practicing the skills you need, just when you need them! Check out Microsoft Word Step by Step today!
The first-person, singular pronoun "I" should always be capitalized, unless you are exercising poetic license. Word may ...
Discover MoreNeed a special character (such as a bullet) in the middle of your text? Here are two quick ways to enter the character ...
Discover MoreSome people like to have Word replace previous information as they type; this is called "overtype mode." You can control ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Got a version of Word that uses the menu interface (Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, or Word 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
Visit the WordTips channel on YouTube
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments