Macro of the Month – May 2021 – TrackOnOffVisible / TrackOnOffVisibleMac

Turns Track Changes off and adds a yellow background to remind you that tracking is off

Welcome! While developing my next macro course, I have discovered even more macro gems. The versatility of macros is impressive. This month’s macro is designed to save you from yourself. And Paul Beverley has made an update to a useful find/replace macro that makes setting it up easier. Toward the end of the year, I will be conducting an in-depth, interactive course for those who would benefit from a hands-on approach to learning macros. 

TrackOnOffVisible / TrackOnOffVisibleMac

How many times have you turned tracking changes off to make a small change that you don’t want to track only to later realize that you forgot to turn it back on—and have failed to track important edits? TrackOnOffVisible is here to save you. This macro turns tracked changes off and adds a yellow background to the document to keep you on notice that tracking is off. When you toggle the macro again with your keyboard shortcut, it turns tracking changes back on and removes the yellow.

If you are on a PC, use TrackOnOffVisible.
If you are on a Mac, use TrackOnOffVisibleMac.

Paul Beverley’s Macro Library

For those of you who use MultiSwitch, it has been updated to make it easier to set up. In the old version, you had to insert the pathname of your Switch list into the macro code. The new version no longer requires that step. Before you run MultiSwitch, simply make sure that the Switch list file is open.

If you haven’t used MultiSwitch, it’s a useful find and replace tool for making changes as you are editing. It is not for global find and replaces but rather for when the decision to execute the replacement is context dependent. 

You set up your list of find and replaces (called a Switch list) ahead of time. When you come to something you want to change, MultiSwitch takes care of it with the touch of the keyboard shortcut. No need to pause editing and load the Find sidebar. As you discover more find/replace items while you are editing, you can quickly add them to your Switch list. It’s even useful as an autofill. For instance, my Switch list is set up to where when I type “m” plus Cmd+4 (my shortcut for MultiSwitch), the macro turns the “m” into “MultiSwitch” (since my fingers can’t ever seem to type that word correctly).

Get an updated copy of MultiSwitch ready to be copied into Word.

Watch this video on MultiSwitch basic principles for more information.

Upcoming Training – Macros for beginners

Have you tried to get started with macros but found it too challenging? Perhaps you’ve attended a conference session or webinar but have yet to dive in. Or maybe you find it difficult to carve out the time?

I will be teaching a six-week course starting in October designed to help you overcome the challenges of learning to install and use macros. Word Macros A to Z will guide you through all you need to know to incorporate macros into your work.  

The material is broken down into easy-to-digest modules with demonstration videos and exercises that give you practical experience using macros in the context of the type of editing you do. You will not be left alone in your quest to learn. There is a forum where I will be answering all your questions and three Zoom sessions to help you get unstuck.

Information about the course is available on the EFA website. There are only 14 spots left.


As always, I would love to hear from you. Tell me what your current favorite macro is or a tip or trick you’ve discovered. 

Be safe and well,
Jennifer