Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated July 27, 2019)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
Jacie wrote that she had created a macro that set text to Time New Roman. She wanted to change the macro to be a toggle between Times New Roman and Arial Narrow Bold, and wondered how to do it.
The easiest way to do it in a macro is simply to check the font used in your selected text, and then take steps based on what you find. For instance, the following macro will only take action if the selected text is either Times New Roman or Arial Narrow:
Sub ChangeSelectedFont() Select Case Selection.Font.Name Case "Times New Roman" Selection.Font.Name = "Arial Narrow" Selection.Font.Bold = True Case "Arial Narrow" Selection.Font.Name = "Times New Roman" Selection.Font.Bold = False End Select End Sub
There is a different, non-macro way that may make some sense, however. Why not use styles? You can define styles to encompass any formatting attributes desired. For instance, you could define one style that used Times New Roman, and another that used Arial Narrow Bold. You could apply the styles at will, from the toolbar, and you could even search and replace using the styles.
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 (1300) 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: Toggling Font Assignments in a Macro.
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 2013. Spend more time working and less time trying to figure it all out! Check out Word 2013 For Dummies today!
If you need to move the insertion point within your macro, then you'll want to note the HomeKey method, described in this ...
Discover MoreAs you are typing, AutoCorrect provides a "check" that what you are entering doesn't match some pre-defined error ...
Discover MoreWord allows you to create a macro that is run automatically whenever the program is started. If you want to bypass the ...
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