Macro of the Month – May 2022 – CapperMax and CapperMin

CapperMax applies title case to a title or header; CapperMin applies sentence case

While we already have a few macros that change the capitalization of a single word, two new macros aid in changing the capitalization of a string of words all at once. These macros can be especially useful when you have a document filled with erroneously capitalized paragraph headers or a reference list in need of a capitalization overhaul.

Also, if you have a recommendation for mailing list software, please let me know. It's become almost impossible to properly format each newsletter in Tiny Letter. 

CapperMax and CapperMin

Changing the capitalization of a set of words, like a paragraph header or book title, is simple enough, right? Just delete the wrongly capitalized letters and type the proper ones. Or you could speed that up by using a macro that changes the capitalization of a set of words all at once. CapperMax applies title casing, turning lowercase to uppercase; CapperMin applies sentence casing, turning uppercase to lowercase. Better yet, they are smart enough to know when words like proper nouns or acronyms should be left alone, when words like prepositions and articles should remain lowercase, and how you want them to treat words after a colon and hyphen. 

How it works: 

—> When you need to change a set of words to title case, select the words and run CapperMax.  Here are some examples:
 

original: The long and winding road 
after running CapperMax: The Long and Winding Road

original: Enlightenment, science, and revolution: the city of Paris in the 18th-century 
after running CapperMax: Enlightenment, Science, and Revolution: The City of Paris in the 18th-century

Note how CapperMax does not uppercase “and,” “of,” “in,” “the,” or “century” after the hyphen, but it does uppercase “the” following the colon. 

—> When you need to change a set of words to sentence case, select the words and run CapperMin. Here are some examples:
 

original: A History of the AIA 
after running CapperMin: A history of the AIA

original: Relations between Britain and America: A Study of 19th-Century Treaties 
after running CapperMin: Relations between Britain and America: A study of 19th-century treaties

Note how CapperMin retains the uppercasing of “AIA,” “Britain,” “America,” and the “a” following the colon.

You can also watch Paul Beverley demonstrating both macros.

How to customize it:

—> CapperMax: You can specify in the code what words should remain lowercase and how you want it to treat words following a hyphen and colon. 

Here is a guide to the settings:

• For words you want to remain lowercase, add them to the end of the second lclist line inside the quotation marks. (FYI, the lclist is broken into two line to keep it from being too long.) Note that a space rather than a comma separates the words. 

• It is currently set to lowercase the word after a hyphen. To set it to uppercase that word, add an apostrophe in front of the uppercaseAfterHyphen = False line and delete the apostrophe in front of the uppercaseAfterHyphen = True line.

• It is currently set to uppercase the word after a colon. To set it to lowercase that word, delete the apostrophe in front of the uppercaseAfterColon = False line and add an apostrophe in front of the uppercaseAfterColon = True.

—> CapperMin: You can specify in the code the words that should remain uppercase and how you want it to treat words following a colon.

Here is a guide to the settings:

• It is currently set to lowercase the word after a colon. To set it to uppercase that word, add an apostrophe in front of the uppercaseAfterColon = False line and delete the apostrophe in front of the uppercaseAfterColon = True line.

• For the words you want to remain lowercase, add them to the notLC line inside the quotation marks. Note that a space rather than a comma separates the words. 

When to use it: CapperMax and CapperMin are a time-saver when you have a document filled with paragraph headers or a reference list in need of capitalization edits.

Why it’s useful: CapperMax and CapperMin will speed up capitalization edits to a string of words because it condenses the effort to change each letter into one step to run the macro. 

Upcoming Training

My next Macro A to Z course starts on July 18 through the Editorial Freelancers Association. Over six weeks, students will learn the essential skills for using macros to streamline the repetitive and onerous aspects of projects. You will also practice using the macros popular among editors, and there will be ample opportunity to get your questions answered and technical roadblocks solved, including three Zoom Q&As.

There are only 6 spots left. Members of CIEP, IPEd, and Editors Canada are eligible for a discounted rate; check with your editing organization for details.

Do you have a macro tip for readers? Or a macro you think should be featured in the newsletter? Reply to this email and let me know.

Regards,
Jennifer