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:
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.
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!
Need to place a bullet in the middle of a sentence? There are a couple of easy ways you can do this, as described in this ...
Discover MoreThe Zoom tool is very useful to help you see all of your document information. Here's how to make sure you can see all ...
Discover MoreAdding hyphens to your document can affect the way in which Word wraps text from one line to the next. Optional hyphens, ...
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