Macro Creation in Microsoft Word 2007

Written by:  • Edited by: Tricia Goss
Updated Jan 4, 2010
• Related Guides: Microsoft | Macro | Microsoft Word 2007

Need to create your own custom macro in Microsoft Word 2007, but don’t know where to start? This guide will walk you through the steps.

Accessing Macro Creation Tools

Although you can access a couple of basic macro tools from the View tab in Microsoft Word 2007, you gain a lot more control over the utilities from the Developer tab. If the Developer tab currently isn’t visible in your copy of Word, it can be easily added by following these steps.

Click on the Office button in the upper left-hand corner of Word and select Word Options as shown in the screenshot below. (Click the image for a larger view.)

Select Word Options
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In the Word Options window, make sure Popular is selected and then put a check in the box next to Show Developer tab in the Ribbon.

Show Developer Tab
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Click OK when done to return to your Word document. The Developer tab will now be visible on the Word ribbon.

How to Create a Macro in Word 2007

Step 1: Open the Developer tab. Click on Record Macro in the Code section of the tab.

Record Macro
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Step 2: Pick a name for your new command and type it into the Macro name field in the Record Macro dialog box. Note that the macro name must begin with a letter, and it cannot contain any special characters, symbols, or spaces. Also, while this is optional, it’s a good idea to go ahead and type in a description for the macro. You can leave this field blank if the name of the macro makes the function of the command obvious, but it never hurts to include a short description.

Macro Details
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Step 3: Decide where you want to store the macro. If you choose to store it in All Documents, it will be stored in the global template and accessible from any document you create later on down the line. If the macro is really only intended to be used for the current document you are working in, you can choose to store it there instead so as not to clutter up the global template with an unused macro.

Store Macro
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You can also create a shortcut for the macro here if desired. We’ll wait and discuss how to do that in Part 2 of this series.

Click OK to continue to the next step.

Step 4: Perform the set of actions that you want the macro to include. It’s important to note here that you need to use your keyboard when performing these tasks since most mouse movements and actions will not be recorded.

If you need to type in anything that you don’t want the macro to include, click on Pause Recording in the Developer tab. When you are done and want to start recording actions again, click on Resume Recorder.

Step 5: When you’ve finished executing all of the commands that you want the macro to include, click on Stop Recording.

Stop Recording
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How to Run a Macro

Once you've recorded a macro, there are two basic ways to run it. One way, which we'll discuss in the next part of this series of articles, is to use an assigned shortcut. The other way is to open the Developer tab on the Word ribbon and click on Macros.

View Macros
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The Macros window that appears on your screen will give a listing of all macros available for your current document whether they are in that document or the global template. Just be sure to pick the proper item from the Macros in drop down list. Select the macro that you wish to execute and click the Run button.

Select and Run Macro
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For more user guides and tutorials, be sure to take a look at the other items in Bright Hub's extensive collection of Microsoft Word tips and tricks.


Comments

Showing all 9 comments
 
Irfan_sahin72 Dec 12, 2011 6:13 AM
RE: Macro Creation in Microsoft Word 2007
how to make micro files in windows 2007 excel
shie casque Dec 8, 2010 3:34 AM
how can we create a macro in MS word 2007
'how am i able to make a macros in MS word 2007?? your examples are all kinda of confusing..hmppp... hayzt!!
JOY Aug 13, 2010 12:00 AM
Thanks.....
Thanks to you I'hv done it....
sumit Jul 10, 2010 6:54 AM
Macro
This demo is not enough to understand about macro give some more demo with visual
Michael Sharpe Jun 18, 2010 9:18 AM
cutting and pasting in macros
I write answers to questions that require repeating specific information frequently. Instead of searching past documents I thought I would create a macro for each piece of information. I've tried to cut and paste these into a macro but when I use the keyboard to cut and paste the text does not record just my key strokes. Is there a way to cut and paste my already written text into a macro without retyping everything?
Adam May 4, 2010 8:50 AM
PLEASE HELP1!
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT WAYS TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY BY USING MACROS ? ? I NEED A LOT OF EXAMPLES, PLEASE GIVE AS MUCH AS YOU CAN, ITS FOR THE ASSIGNMENT. THANKS
Satyajit Apr 21, 2010 8:18 AM
Blink
Need to highlight a text in word file
CB Annerston Apr 1, 2010 2:32 AM
Macros in MS Word 2007
Sorry, but it is not very clear how get your image or text to be a macro! Are you supposed to copy it?
Step 4: Perform the set of actions that you want the macro to include. It’s important to note here that you need to use your keyboard when performing these tasks since most mouse movements and actions will not be recorded.
sarue Mar 31, 2010 9:11 AM
how to create a micro in microsoft word 2007
i couldn't find pictures demonstrating this topic. if possible, will you sent me one
 
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