Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here: Noting Table Rows Containing a Character.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated November 20, 2021)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
Heidi has fifteen documents, each comprised chiefly of one long table. She needs to create a macro to search row-by-row and somehow highlight (either by shading, bolding, changing font, etc.) any row that doesn't have a parenthesis character anywhere in the row. Alternatively, she can also highlight rows that do contain a parenthesis character—she just needs to be able to distinguish between rows that do and rows that don't.
There are many ways that such a macro could be approached, but one that searches for an opening or closing parenthesis is relatively easy. The following example will do the search, row by row, and if either character is found, it will highlight the row by making the background yellow.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here:
Sub HilightRows()
Dim TargetText1 As String
Dim TargetText As String
Dim oRow As Row
Dim iCol As Integer
'initialize the target characters to find
TargetText = "("
TargetText1 = ")"
'Make sure we're in a table
If Selection.Information(wdWithInTable) Then
'Clear all the old shading
Selection.Tables(1).Shading.BackgroundPatternColor = wdColorWhite
'do all the rows
For Each oRow In Selection.Tables(1).Rows
If InStr(oRow.Range.Text, TargetText) > 0 Then _
oRow.Shading.BackgroundPatternColor = wdColorYellow
If InStr(oRow.Range.Text, TargetText1) > 0 Then _
oRow.Shading.BackgroundPatternColor = wdColorYellow
Next oRow
End If
End Sub
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 (568) 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: Noting Table Rows Containing a Character.
Discover the Power of Microsoft Office This beginner-friendly guide reveals the expert tips and strategies you need to skyrocket your productivity and use Office 365 like a pro. Mastering software like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is essential to be more efficient and advance your career. Simple lessons guide you through every step, providing the knowledge you need to get started. Check out Microsoft Office 365 For Beginners today!
There are several different ways you can select an entire table in Word. The various methods and shortcuts are described ...
Discover MoreEasily add a blank line before your already inserted table.
Discover MoreNeed a quick shortcut to jump to the top or bottom of a table column? Here are the two shortcuts you are searching for.
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