Macro of the Month – January 2025 – ParensContentDelete
Deletes parentheses and the content inside
Are unnecessary acronyms cluttering your documents? This month's macro offers an efficient solution for cleaning up parenthetical acronyms and other superfluous text. Also, registration for the next Word Macros A to Z ends soon.
This Month’s Macro – ParensContentDelete
Ever encounter text like this? “The American Institute of Architects (AIA) conducted the study,” but “AIA” is never mentioned again. Or perhaps, “The building features exposed brick walls (just like every other building in the neighborhood).” ParensContentDelete helps you quickly remove unnecessary parenthetical content, whether unused acronyms or superfluous commentary.
How It Works
Simply place your cursor anywhere inside the parentheses and run ParensContentDelete. The macro removes both the parenthetical text and the parentheses themselves.
Download the code: www.wordmacrotools.com/macros/P/ParensContentsDelete
Related macros:
ParenthesesEtcPairDelete deletes pairs of punctuation marks, including parentheses, but not the text between them.
PunctuationOff deletes individual punctuation marks, including a parenthesis.
AbbrSwap swaps the name of an organization (or term) and its abbreviation when one is in parentheses. For example, it changes “The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) announced the winners” to "The RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) announced the winners," or vice versa.
Word Macros A to Z – Starting February 12, 2025
Start the new year by learning how to edit more efficiently. Over six weeks, you'll master essential macro skills through video tutorials, hands-on exercises, and live Q&A sessions. The course is designed for both PC and Mac users, whether you're new to macros or want to expand your skills.
“I enjoyed being able to work through the course at my own pace while still having regular access to the instructor. I was learning valuable things each week that I could employ at work right away.” —Past participant
Register here. Members of EFA, CIEP, IPEd, PEG, and Editors Canada qualify for discounted rates through their organizations.
Time commitment: 2–3 hours per week, with 90-day access to materials after course completion.
Questions? Comments?
Have you recently discovered a macro you’d like to share with other editors? Do you have a question about this macro or others? Please comment on this post.
Happy macroing,
Jennifer
ps: Don’t forget to back up your macros.