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: Repeating Actions.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated June 22, 2024)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
If you want to repeat an action a single time, you can either press the F4 key or Ctrl+Y. What if you want to repeat it more than once, however? Granted, you could press these keys multiple times, but this can get tedious if you want to repeat something fifty or sixty times.
The answer is to use a nifty little macro that will do the repeating for you:
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 DoRepeat()
Dim CountValue As Integer
CountValue = Val(InputBox("How many times?"))
If CountValue > 0 Then Repeat (CountValue)
End Sub
The trick is to assign DoRepeat to a keyboard shortcut, such as Alt+R. Then, you can perform an action, press Alt+R, enter the number of times to repeat, and be on your way. You should note that if the action you did prior to invoking the macro cannot be repeated for some reason, you will get an error when the macro tries to run.
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 (1689) 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: Repeating Actions.
Do More in Less Time! An easy-to-understand guide to the more advanced features available in the Microsoft 365 version of Word. Enhance the quality of your documents and boost productivity in any field with this in-depth resource. Complete your Word-related tasks more efficiently as you unlock lesser-known tools and learn to quickly access the features you need. Check out Microsoft 365 Word For Professionals For Dummies today!
AutoComplete allows you to easily complete words you are typing in your document. If AutoComplete is presenting you with ...
Discover MoreWhen getting rid of text from your document, Word allows you to delete, clear, or cut. Here are the differences between ...
Discover MoreNeed to move a few paragraphs around in your document? Word provides a couple of handy shortcuts that make it very easy ...
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