Change Drop Cap Defaults?

frjphunt · #1 08-01-2011, 08:08 PM

I use Drop Caps quite a lot in liturgical publications. Is there a way to change the defaults for them? I regularly use a special font, other than the font I use for body text, and regularly want the drop cap to be two lines rather than three. I would like to establish my font choice and size as the default. I am an experienced Word user but have found no hint of how to do this anywhere.

Thanks for any help given.

Ulodesk · #2 08-04-2011, 12:31 PM

Here's an easy macro which I recorded using Word's macro recorder:

Code:

Sub CustomDC()
'
' CustomDC Macro
'
'
    With Selection.Paragraphs(1).DropCap
        .Position = wdDropNormal
        .FontName = "Bodoni"
        .LinesToDrop = 2
        .DistanceFromText = InchesToPoints(0)
    End With
End Sub

You can simply copy this into your Macros page. If you are not familiar with this, don't worry -- it's easier than you think. Note that you'll need to have Word's Developer tab showing in the ribbon, which means checking a box in Word's set-up options.

In brief, with Word open, press Alt+the F11 key, which will open Word's Macro coding page. You should then be able to simply paste the code above into the right hand pane (which may be blank, if you have created no other macros) and then press the Save icon in the usual place up top.

Note that I chose Bodoni. You can substitute the font name of your choice where you see the name Bodoni in the code text. Likewise, you can change the DistanceFromText value. Or, just look up Record a macro, and create your own from scratch, using Word's macro recorder.

Pressing Alt+F11 again will take you back to Word.

To run the macro, go to your Developer tab and choose Macros. you should see this one listed as Custom DC (for Drop Cap). Select it and press run.

You can create a button or keyboard shortcut for it; I prefer keyboard shortcuts. You can look this up, too.

Best,
Ulodesk.

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