Macros  What Are They? 

Did you ever work on a Word document and say to yourself, “I’ve done this same thing a million times.  I wish there was a way to only have to do it once and click some buttons and it happens automatically.”?  If so, then macros are for you!

A macro is “a set of keystrokes and instructions that are recorded and saved under a short code or macro name.” (Microsoft)  In other words, a macro automates a task that you do repeatedly.  It’s a shortcut.  For example, you have a three-level bulleted list.  You want the first level in a color and bold, the second level with a different bullet and the third level indented.  To make a macro, you basically record every keystroke, every command and save it to be used in the future.

So how do you make a macro in Word?  (This is from the Microsoft site.)

1. On the Tools menu, point to Macro, and click Record New Macro.

2. In the Macro name box, type a name for the macro.

3. Under Store macro in, click the name of the template or document. (This means if you’re working on a specific document and want formatting for that document, that is the name you would use.)

4. In the Description box, type any details about the macro that you want to save.

5. Select OK.

6. On the Edit menu, click Select All.

7. Press F9.

8. Press CTRL+HOME so that text is no longer selected.

9. Select Stop Recording .

NOTE:  My computer doesn’t work quite like the directions.  I get a little toolbar on the screen.  I just hit the Stop Recording button  when I finish typing in the sample that I want the machine to follow.

When you want to use your macro, go to Tools and select Macros.  It gives you a listing of macros that you have recorded.  You simply select on the one you want.