Macro of the Month – May 2023 – QuotesAddDouble / QuotesAddSingle

Adds a pair of double, or single, quotation marks around the selected text

This month’s macro fills two needs with one deed. Also, the Macro A to Z course will be offered once more this year, beginning in July, and is now open for registration. Information about discounts below.

QuotesAddDouble/ QuotesAddSingle

Adding quotation marks around a word or series requires precisely placing the mouse in front of the first word and typing the punctuation mark and then moving the mouse precisely after the last word and inserting a quotation mark. Read on to learn how you can speed up this type of edit.

How it works: QuotesAddDouble adds double quotation marks around the selected word(s) and places the end quote mark outside periods and commas (following US conventions). QuotesAddSingle adds single quotation marks around the selected word(s) and places the end quote mark inside any punctuation. 

Note where each macro places the end quote mark in relation to the punctuation.

How to use it: When you come across a word that needs to be inside quotation marks, place the cursor anywhere in the word and run the macro. If you need to add quotation marks around a series of words, you need only to roughly select the words, which makes it efficient and low strain: Click anywhere inside the first word, hold down the Shift key, and click the mouse anywhere inside the last word; then run the macro. 

This technique of roughly selecting the words applies less pressure on your hands and wrists compared to dragging the mouse from the first letter to the last. (See Paul Beverley’s video about reducing repetitive strain injuries.) 

Download the code: 

• QuotesAddDouble: www.wordmacrotools.com/macros/Q/QuotesAddDouble

• QuotesAddSingle: www.wordmacrotools.com/macros/Q/QuotesAddSingle

Related macros: If you find yourself performing other repetitive tasks with quotation marks, consider these macros. The links will take you to the newsletter that covers each macro:

• ItalicQuoteToggle: Applies italics to text surrounded by quotation marks and deletes the marks, and vice versa. 

• ParenthesisEtcPairDelete: Deletes punctuation pairs, such as quotation marks and parentheses, ignoring any intervening punctuation. 

• MatchDoubleQuotes/MatchSingleQuotes: Underlines any paragraph that may have an unpaired quote mark.

Upcoming Training

The next Macros A to Z course begins July 12. This six-week hands-on course will teach you how to use Paul Beverley's macros. It caters both to PC and Mac users and to those new to macros and those who have some experience with macros and want to get more out of them.

Here are what some past attendees have said about the course:

This was the most instantly helpful class I have had when it comes to doing my work faster, better, and more easily. 

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.

Have you recently discovered a new macro? Reply to this email and let me know.

Regards,
Jennifer