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I was wondering if there was any way to count occurrences of words or phrases in Word? Or do I just have to search and go "find next" and count them up myself?
Just do a "find and replace" using the same exact word. It won't change the word in the document, but it will tell you how many instances of that word exist in the document.
Just do a "find and replace" using the same exact word. It won't change the word in the document, but it will tell you how many instances of that word exist in the document.
booo
Application misuse
booo
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Watch out PL, because Word will replace every occurrence of the word causing some unexpected capitalization issues (replacing words at the beginning of sentences with uncapitalized versions). I would use an fresh edit session for your counting and then discard your changes (close without saving).
I had a similar purpose in mind once, looking for words I might over-use. I found some WordCount software that I used in a free trial; it didn't do what I wanted.
LOL Just jealous he thought of it first?![]()
Just do a "find and replace" using the same exact word. It won't change the word in the document, but it will tell you how many instances of that word exist in the document.
If you say "find and replace" which are two different functions, it will find and replace that group of letters every time it occurs, even if it is a part of a completely different word. For instance, if you want to replace "cock" with "dick" and you have referred to cocktails, that word will become "dicktails." You may be able to get around this by asking to find (space) word (space) but that might result in problems if the word in question is at the end of a sentence and is followed by a punctuation mark.
As somebody else said, it might also cause capitalization problems.![]()
If you say "find and replace" which are two different functions, it will find and replace that group of letters every time it occurs, even if it is a part of a completely different word. For instance, if you want to replace "cock" with "dick" and you have referred to cocktails, that word will become "dicktails." You may be able to get around this by asking to find (space) word (space) but that might result in problems if the word in question is at the end of a sentence and is followed by a punctuation mark.
As somebody else said, it might also cause capitalization problems.![]()
You didn't bother to read post #8, did you, Box? (What a surprise.)
See what you started, PL? This is all your fault.
That was my original suggestion to get the counting job done (and it will). But there is a diamond in the rough from this discussion. PayDay suggested using the 'highlight all items found' option. I tried it and WOW! Just do a find (don't match case) with the highlight and then click the word count tool. Bingo! No changes are made so no issue with damaging your story.
EDIT: Correction, just clicking 'Find all' put the answer in the 'Replace' tool window. For instance, my novel uses the word cock 148 times. Hmmmm
Thanks, PayDay. I learned a new trick today!
See what you started, PL? This is all your fault.Thanks, PayDay. I learned a new trick today!
But there is a diamond in the rough from this discussion. PayDay suggested using the 'highlight all items found' option.
I do this all the time in word 2007.
Open the "find" option, hit the "more" button, check "Find whole words only" Type in the word you want to count, hit "Find Next" and then the "Reading highlight" button and chose "Highlight All" It will tell you how many items it highlighted. You can hit the Reading Highlight button again to clear the highlights.
It highlights upper and lower case spellings unless you use the match case option.
Ah, then you just didn't understand post #8 (also not a surprise).
First, no, "Find and Replace" isn't two different functions. It's one function.
Next, no, if you check "find whole words only" you won't be changing segments of words.
Finally, no, if you check "match case" you won't have any problem with capitalization.
If you check both of those and run the word (or phrase) through "Find and Repace" twice--once with capped initial words and once without--and add those two totals together, you will have your total and you will not have messed up anything in the text.
You''re batting zero in comprehension, as is often the case, Box.
if you are using the newest Microsoft Word, then you could just go find, format highlight (it's in the advanced find), then you should be good to go. I don't know when this function appeared, though. I only have Microsoft word starter. I usually use OpenOffice, where I can find and replace without replacing (find, find all, replace, replace all)