We must check before using the replace function whether there is such an expression in the text to be searched. The disadvantage of this method is that any phrase or sentence ending on "$," or "$." will also be converted. The Find what box means: look for any expression where a string consisting of numbers, periods and commas immediately follows the $ sign. The expression can be easily modified so that the word "dollar" (or its plural in the respective language) will appear after the replacement instead of the $ sign. The numbers following the dollar sign can be modified so that the $ sign will immediately follow the number after a non-breaking space. Fortunately, this mechanical task can also be automated. Numbers occurring in the format $50,12 must be converted to the format 50,12 $ in the translation. In order to replace an expression of the type "Section 45" with one of the type "45.
Replacement in the reverse direction is also easy. The § character could also be written using its ANSI code: The expression provides for the possibility of two types of space. This can be easily accomplished on the basis of the above explanations: §" must often be replaced by an expression of the type "Section 45". In legal texts, an expression of the type "45. The symbol here stands for a regular space. You can easily replace multiple spaces with a single space using the advanced Find and Replace feature.Īfter selecting the Use wildcards option, type the following in the appropriate boxes: In our work we often accidentally type two or more spaces between words. If so, you press the Replace button if not, press Find Next. Replacement can also be performed in the interactive mode by first pressing the Find button and, upon reaching the desired string, deciding whether replacement is required. Word will perform the search in this portion and then will ask you whether you wish to continue to search in the rest of the text. You may want to test these examples in Word using a test file.īy highlighting portions of the text, the search can be limited to that portion of the document. The use of this feature will be shown below using a few examples. The symbols to be used are listed in detail under Word's Help menu, so we shall not describe them here. This feature allows you to set complex search conditions by using special character combinations. Much time can be saved in translating legal, financial, and technical texts by using properly written find-and-replace formulas.
Tibor Környei can be reached home page is at: Környei's previous article published in the Translation Journal).
Developer of a translation macro kit for MS Word, As a guest lecturer, teaches Computer-Aided TranslationĪt a postgraduate translator training course at ELTE University,īudapest.
#Ms word for mac find and replace software#
In recent years he has participated in a number of software localization projects.įounder and moderator of the Translators' Electronic Forum in Hungary Together with an American translator, he translated various materials for the Foreign Ministry for two years. In addition to doing translation jobs in his field of specialization, he translated several novels and economic-financial textbooks for publishers. In 1990 he changed professions and began to work as a freelance English-Hungarian translator. In the meantime, he learned English and acquired a translator/interpreter diploma at a postgraduate course. After graduating from the technical university, he worked as a civil engineer for ten years. Tibor Környei, 47, was born in Budapest, Hungary.
0 kommentar(er)
