WD: Character, Word Count Differences in Word Processing Programs (136861)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Word for Windows 6.0
  • Microsoft Word for Windows 6.0a
  • Microsoft Word for Windows 6.0c
  • Microsoft Word for the Macintosh 6.0
  • Microsoft Word for the Macintosh 6.0.1
  • Microsoft Word for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Word for Windows 95 7.0a
This article was previously published under Q136861

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Word, the number that is displayed in the Characters section when you click the Word Count command on the Tools menu may be less than the result of a character count in other word processing programs (such as WordPerfect for Windows or Ami Pro for Windows).

CAUSE

When you use the Word Count feature, Word does not count nonprinting characters, such as spaces, paragraph marks, line feed characters, or tabs. In contrast, other word processing programs may count these items.

Word 97 for Windows and Word 98 Macintosh Edition provide character counts including and excluding spaces.

WORKAROUND

The following macro counts all the characters in the document including spaces, tabs, and paragraph marks (except the last one in the document).

Microsoft provides programming examples for illustration only, without warranty either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. This article assumes that you are familiar with the programming language being demonstrated and the tools used to create and debug procedures. Microsoft support professionals can help explain the functionality of a particular procedure, but they will not modify these examples to provide added functionality or construct procedures to meet your specific needs. If you have limited programming experience, you may want to contact a Microsoft Certified Partner or the Microsoft fee-based consulting line at (800) 936-5200. For more information about Microsoft Certified Partners, please visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/partner/referral/

For more information about the support options that are available and about how to contact Microsoft, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS

   Sub MAIN
      If IsMacro() Then
         MsgBox "This will not run in a macro window."
      Else
         ScreenUpdating
         EditBookmark .Name = "NumCharPlaceHolder", .Add
         EditSelectAll
         Number = Len(Selection$()) - 1
         StartOfDocument
         EditGoTo .Destination = "t"
         While SelInfo(12) = - 1
            If SelInfo(12) = - 1 Then
               Rows = SelInfo(15) * 2
               While SelInfo(13) <> SelInfo(15)
                  NextCell : Count = Count + 2
               Wend
               Count = Count + (SelInfo(18) * 2)
            End If
            Number = Number - Count - Rows
            count = 0
            EndOfRow : CharRight 2
            EditGoTo .Destination = "t"
         Wend
         EditBookmark .Name = "NumCharPlaceHolder", .Goto
         EditBookmark .Name = "NumCharPlaceHolder", .Delete
      End If
      MsgBox "Character Count:" + Str$(Number)
   End Sub

STATUS

This behavior is by design of Microsoft Word.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:8/17/2005
Keywords:kbmacro kbmacroexample kbprb kbproof KB136861
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.