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: Transposing Two Paragraphs.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated September 1, 2022)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
As you are developing a document, there may be times when you want to transpose two adjacent paragraphs. All you need to do is position the insertion point between two paragraphs you want to transpose, and then issue the macro in this tip. If you position the cursor inside a paragraph, it assumes you want to transpose the current paragraph with the following. This macro, TransposeParagraphs, will do the trick:
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 TransposeParagraphs()
Selection.MoveUp Unit:=wdParagraph, _
Count:=1, Extend:=wdExtend
Selection.MoveLeft Unit:=wdCharacter, Count:=1
Selection.MoveDown Unit:=wdParagraph, _
Count:=1, Extend:=wdExtend
Selection.Range.Cut
Selection.MoveDown Unit:=wdParagraph, Count:=1
Selection.Range.Paste
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 (977) 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 Paragraphs.
The First and Last Word on Word! Bestselling For Dummies author Dan Gookin puts his usual fun and friendly candor back to work to show you how to navigate Word 2019. Spend more time working and less time trying to figure it all out! Check out Word 2019 For Dummies today!
Want a quick way to repeat a word or phrase you just typed? Here's the shortcut you need.
Discover MoreIn Word a non-breaking space will help you keep two words together on the same line. Here's two different ways that you ...
Discover MoreNeed a quick way to get back to a where you previously edited? Here's a shortcut that will serve you well.
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2016-06-18 08:17:17
Another way is to position the cursor in the paragraph you want to move and then press CTL-SHIFT-up-arrow or ...down-arrow. This moves the paragraph with the cursor up or down (swaps with the paragraph above or below). In fact, you can keep tapping the up or down arrow (with CTL-SHIFT still held down) to keep moving the original paragraph.
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