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Macro Wizard

You don't have to be a Word macro wizard in order to create a couple of automated processes that can make your life easier. For example, right now I'm working on a project that requires a lot of strikethrough--like 500-pages worth, with small commands and phrases hither and yon on every page. Now I could just reach for the Format menu and choose Font; then click the Strikethrough checkbox for every infernal command in the entire project. Well, I could, but I won't. Why flirt with repetitive stress disorder when you can do it once, record it in a macro, and then let Word do it for you at the simple press of a button?
To create this kind of simple style macro, follow these steps:

1. Position the cursor on a blank line.
2. Open the Tools menu and select Macro. When the submenu appears, choose Record New Macro.
3. In the Record Macro dialog box, type a name (I entered strikethru) and then select whether you want to create a toolbar or keyboard macro. (I clicked Keyboard because I'd rather push than click.)
4. This brings up the Customize Keyboard dialog box. Here you simply press the key you want to assign the macro to. I pressed F3, and Word told me that would replace the Insert AutoText macro currently assigned to that key. That's fine with me, because AutoText tends to annoy me more than it helps.
5. If you want to save the macro in the current document only (this is a good idea until you really get the hang of macros), click the Save changes in down-arrow and choose the name of the current document. Click Close. Recording begins.
6. The cursor beside the mouse pointer changes to a little tape symbol, reminding you that Word is now recording all your actions. A tiny macro toolbar appears in the workspace, offering the commands Pause Recording and Stop Recording. Ready? You're on.
7. Open the Format menu and choose Font. Click the Strikethrough checkbox to enable it and then click Close.
8. Now click Stop Recording. And that's it--you're done.
9. Test out your new macro by typing and highlighting some text and pressing F3. See that nice strikethrough effect? Ah, the wonders of digital recording. :)

Of course, this is only the tiniest tip of the macro iceberg. But they're fun, can be simple, and may even make your work a bit easier. At any rate, they're worth a second look. Have a good day! :) k