Use a custom function in Word to count specific characters

zelarra821 · #1 07-20-2023, 09:48 AM

Hello. Thank you very much for accepting me.

First of all, this is my first time doing something in VBA for Word, so I don't have much of an idea. Yes, it is true that I have worked with VBA for Excel and Access.

Let me tell you.

I have a Word document in which I have created, using VBA, a function that tells me the number of times certain characters are repeated.

Code:

Function Hecho() As Integer 

Dim iCount As Long 

Dim strSearch As String 

 

strSearch = "**" 

iCount = 0 

 

With ActiveDocument.Content.Find 

    .Text = strSearch 

    .Format = False 

    .Wrap = wdFindStop 

    Do While .Execute 

        iCount = iCount + 1 

    Loop 

End With 

 

Hecho = iCount / 2 

 

End Function

Now, I would like to display the result of that function in the document. I'm looking for information on Google and I can't find anything about it.

Could anyone help me?

Thank you so much.

gmaxey · #2 07-20-2023, 10:31 AM

Code:

Function ScratchMacro()
'A basic Word Macro coded by Gregory K. Maxey
Dim strSearch As String
Dim iCount As Long, Hecho As Single
  strSearch = "**"
  iCount = 0
  With ActiveDocument.Content.Find
    .Text = strSearch
    .Format = False
    .Wrap = wdFindStop
    Do While .Execute
        iCount = iCount + 1
    Loop
End With
  Hecho = iCount / 2
  'at end of document.
  ActiveDocument.Range.InsertAfter vbCr & Hecho
  'in a content control titled Hecho.
  ActiveDocument.SelectContentControlsByTitle("Hecho").Item(1).Range.Text = Hecho
  'in an table (first table, first cell)
  ActiveDocument.Tables(1).Cell(1, 1).Range.Text = Hecho
End
lbl_Exit:
  Exit Function
End Function

zelarra821 · #3 07-20-2023, 11:16 AM

Thank you so much.

Yes, and it wasn't what I was looking for.

I explain.

I wanted something that would update only when I added those characters.

The document in which I am going to apply it is a list of objectives, and I want to obtain the percentage of those that I am achieving. That's why I want it to update as it marks completion.

You understand me?

gmaxey · #4 07-20-2023, 01:08 PM

No I don't. Your function already counted the number of occurrences. You said you want to display that value in the document. In the document where? When will be when you run the code.

zelarra821 · #5 07-20-2023, 01:21 PM

If the function is ok. It shows me the value at the end of the document, which is where I want it to show it. What you would want is for that value to update only as you add the characters that are in the function.

gmaxey · #6 07-20-2023, 02:33 PM

I don't want anything. You are the one who came here looking for help. You mention that you have experience with Excel and Access. A function in Word is nothing like a function that you might enter into an Excel field.

Typically with a Word VBA "function," you will pass arguments to it and it returns a value:

Code:

Sub Demo()
  MsgBox Add(2.5, 1.5), vbOKOnly, "SUM"
End Sub


Function Add(a, b) As Single
  Add = a + b
End Function

Your function will return the value (and place it at the end of a document, a table cell, a content control or whatever target you define) each time you run it. Word has no built-in change event that automatically detects a user adding text (or specific characters in your case) or calls a procedure e.g., your function.

Now, if you put a content control adjacent to each of your objectives and use it to enter your "**" marks then you could use the Document _ContentControlOnExit event to call your function.

Private Sub Document_ContentControlOnExit(ByVal ContentControl As ContentControl, Cancel As Boolean)
'Call your function here.
End Sub

zelarra821 · #7 07-20-2023, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmaxey

I don't want anything

Sorry, I mistranslated what I wanted to say.

Indeed, that is what I wanted to know: that there is no event that detects changes as there is in Excel. That forces you to have to create, for example, a check box that, when updated, gives you the result with the event you propose.

Thank you so much. Fixed then.

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