Macro of the Month – June 2024 – PunctuationToSpace
Splits a hyphenated word into two words
This month features the final macro in the series on hyphenation macros. It turns a hyphenated word into two words. I also share some thoughts about how I keep myself from being overwhelmed by all the productivity tools available to editors, along with information about the next deep dive Macros A to Z course starting in July.
This Month’s Macro — PunctuationToSpace
Many macros insert or swap out different punctuation marks. This month’s macro is specifically focused on hyphens, deleting them and replacing them with a space. PunctuationToSpace is most usable with hyphenated word pairs—think -ly compounds—but it will work with dashes as well.
How to use it: When you see a hyphenated word pair that should be written as two words, place the cursor anywhere to the left of words and run PunctuationToSpace. It will scan the text looking for the next hyphen, or dash, to the right and replace it with a space. It skips over commas, quotation marks, and other punctuation.
Because this macro is attuned to hyphens and dashes only, it provides added time savings and reduces wrist strain. When the next edit you need to make is to replace a hyphen with a space, you don’t need to move the cursor before running the macro. It skips over other punctuation marks, targeting just the next hyphen.
Tip: To help you remember the keyboard shortcut that you assign to the macro, consider including the spacebar, such as Ctrl+spacebar.
Download the code: www.wordmacrotools.com/macros/P/PunctuationToSpace
Related macros: Here are several related macros you may find useful:
HyphenSpaceWordCount: Tells you how often a word pair is written as one word, two words, and hyphenated
JoinTwoWords: Turns two words or a hyphenated word into a single word
PunctuationOff: Deletes the next punctuation mark to the right, except for hyphens and dashes
PunctuationToHyphen: Hyphenates a word pair
WordPairPunctuate: Toggles between hyphenating a word pair and joining/separating the words (works best with Track Changes turned off)
Upcoming Training – Registration closes soon
Have you been interested in learning macros but haven’t taken the leap yet? Or do you use a few macros and want to delve deeper? Whether you're a beginner or have some experience, this six-week course will teach you how to optimize your productivity using macros. Through video tutorials, practical exercises, a vibrant discussion forum, and three live Q&A sessions, you’ll explore the full potential of macros. The course is centered around Paul Beverley’s library of macros—so no programming is required. It is designed for both PC and Mac users.
Here are what some past attendees have said about the course:
I've picked up so many useful tools. The course was so well-organized, the handouts and videos were clear and helpful.
I really enjoyed how clear the content was—especially given that I knew nothing about Paul Beverley's macros to begin with.
I enjoyed being able to work through the course at my own pace while still having regular access to the instructor to ask questions. I liked that the instructor was very engaged in the discussion forum. I also really liked how each module began with an outline of options based on how much time I had available that week.
Register here. Members of CIEP, IPEd, PEG, and Editors Canada are eligible for a discounted rate; check with your editing organization for details.
Tip – Managing all the tech tools
Macros, PerfectIt, Text Expander (or Phrase Express), Editor’s ToolKit Plus? It’s exciting to have so many tools to help us edit more efficiently and effectively, with more sure to come thanks to AI. I sometimes find myself overwhelmed. Which tools would be the most useful? How much of my budget should I devote to subscription costs? How much time will it take me to learn them—and relearn them when I haven’t used them for a while?
I love trying out new ways of working. But I must keep counseling myself to take it one step at a time, or I risk being overwhelming and not doing anything. As the tagline of the newsletter suggests—edit more efficiently one month at a time—I’ve found that doing one small thing at a time keeps it manageable, like installing one new macro to help me with my current project or setting up a few frequently used comments using Word’s AutoCorrect. When I have 30 minutes at the end of the day and I don’t want to start something new, I will do a trial run of one new tool to see if would be useful for the type of work I do. I also have to keep reminding myself that I don’t need to use all the tools, or even try them all out, as tempting as that is.
How do you pace yourself when learning new skills?
Have a question or want to suggest a macro for a future newsletter? Reply to this email and let me know.
Happy macroing,
Jennifer
ps: Don’t forget to back up your macros.