Macro of the Month – February 2023 – ProperNounAlyse
Helps you identify inconsistencies among proper nouns
This month’s newsletter discusses one of the better-known macros, ProperNounAlyse. If you are already familiar with it, read on for tips about ways to use it that you may not have considered. Also, there is a new (free) training resource for learning how to use FRedit, and registration for the next Macros A to Z course closes February 27.
ProperNounAlyse
ProperNounAlyse is one of the most popular macros. It is designed to help you identify inconsistent spellings of proper nouns. It’s one of a set of preflight macros that will help you become familiar with a project and clean up basic errors before you dive into the manuscript. As such, it functions differently than the macros we use while actively editing.
How it works: ProperNounAlyse analyzes all the proper nouns in a document and generates a list of potentially inconsistent spellings. Then it’s your turn to analyze the list to assess which words actually need correcting.
The macro uses colored highlighting to identify variant spellings, and it provides the frequency of each word. Not every word it flags will be an error, however (or a proper noun, which it defines as any capitalized word).
How to use it: Run ProperNounAlyse at the start of a project. It can take a while to run—it has to analyze all the words after all. A 60,000-word document could take 10 minutes to run. When the macro is running, do NOT touch your keyboard or mouse. This can cause the macro to malfunction or even to crash Word. Best to start it running before you set out on a #StetWalk.
When it is finished running, review the “Proper noun queries” report to determine the actual mistakes and correct them in the document before you begin editing. Word’s find-and-replace tool is good for this, or you can use the FRedit find-and-replace macro. You might also want to add this information to your style sheet.
Additional ways to use ProperNounAlyse:
As a final check: Run ProperNounAlyse again at the end of a project to capture any remaining errors, especially if the project underwent heavy edits or the author made a lot of revisions.
For PerfectIt users: Since PerfectIt also flags misspelled proper nouns, and corrects them for you, consider running ProperNounAlyse at the end of a project instead to capture anything that may have slipped through or been introduced during the revision process.
For magazine and journal editors: Since an issue’s articles are submitted at different times, run ProperNounAlyse on all the articles once they are finalized to uncover inconsistencies across the entire issue. Use MultiFileText/MultiFileTextForMac to combine the text into a single document. You can make needed corrections during proofing or earlier, if your schedule allows.
Download the code: www.wordmacrotools.com/macros/P/ProperNounAlyse
Paul Beverley’s Macro Library – New training resource
Paul and I have collaborated to create a self-paced guide for learning how to use FRedit: FRedit from Square One. Similar in approach to its sibling, Macros from Square One, it takes you step-by-step through all you need to know: what FRedit is, how it works, and how to use it. The multiple exercises will give you practice using the macro and help you fine-tune your new skills.
For those unfamiliar with FRedit, it is a powerful find-and-replace macro that you run before you begin editing a document to clean up multiple errors—5, 10, 50—all at once. By correcting rote, repetitive errors at the start of a project, you will have cleaner text to work with, freeing up your attention to focus on matters that require editorial judgment.
Download your copy here (Word document): www.archivepub.co.uk/documents/FSO-instructions
Upcoming Training – Last days to register
Do you need support getting started with macros? Would you like to get more out of macros, including finally conquering how FRedit works? Or do you want to assemble a set of macros that will streamline your particular editorial workflow?
The upcoming six-week Macros A to Z course will teach you all this and more. You will also have ample opportunity to have your questions answered and your technical roadblocks solved through a very active discussion forum and three Zoom Q&As.
The course is open to PC and Mac users and caters to both those new to macros and those who have some experience using macros and want to get more out of them.
It begins on March 1, 2023, through the Editorial Freelancers Association. Members of CIEP, IPEd, Editors Canada, and PEG are eligible for a discounted rate; check with your editing organization for details. Registration closes February 27.
What new macro have you discovered? Reply to this email and let me know.
Regards,
Jennifer