macro for in-text comments in student assignments

Ulrike · #1 08-20-2023, 04:54 AM

I got as far as 'record macro,' name, and 'assign key' but from then on I get lost.

I want to insert a
character style,
in 'Universe Condensed Light',
Size 11,
in 'Automatic blue (not the darkest blue to make it easily stand out from black)

Hoping that you can sort me out,
with thanks,
Ulrike

gmayor · #2 08-20-2023, 09:14 AM

Is there a good reason why you don't use Word's Insert Comment function?
You can modify the Comment Text style in the document to display in any font and colour you prefer, though I would suggest that you stick to standard fonts as Word will substitute a font from the available fonts if the one you have chosen is not available.

Ulrike · #3 08-20-2023, 09:35 AM

Thank you for replying, gmayor.

I prefer in-text comments to be in the text as an interjection rather than a teaching comment.

At the moment, I create for each assignment 'Style1,' choosing 'Character' and for Formatting, 'Universe Condensed Light', size 11, and from 'Automatic' the not quite dark blue. But it means I need to change in the student's document to 'Style1' for every insertion I need to make.

A colleague has told me how to record a macro for this so I only need to press my chosen key for each insertion. It turns out that despite his care, over three days I did not manage to come up with a workable macro. I worked for years without a macro, but the idea of a macro appeals to me.

So, fingers crossed that someone can sort me out.
Ulrike

Ulrike · #4 08-20-2023, 01:15 PM

My colleague thought I could deal with it because it was easy:

"no tweaking is required, one just needs to be very particular about the sequence of events - I think it was something like "type first char", then "shift and back-arrow" to highlight first char, then change font, then change colour, then "forward arrow" to unselect it, then type the remainder (not forgetting a space at the end)."

With my best attempt, I found there is no 'font' icon to click.

Ulrike

gmayor · #5 08-20-2023, 10:42 PM

The following will enter your comment text at the cursor, formatted as required.

Code:

Sub MyComment()
Dim oRng As Range
Dim sComment As String
    sComment = InputBox("Type Comment", "Inline Comment")
    If sComment = "" Then Exit Sub
    Set oRng = Selection.Range
    With oRng
        .Collapse 0
        .Text = sComment
        .Font.Color = RGB(0, 153, 255)
        .Font.Name = "Universe Condensed Light"
        .Font.Size = 11
        .Collapse 0
        .Select
    End With
    Set oRng = Nothing
End Sub

Ulrike · #6 08-21-2023, 04:57 AM

Thank you so much, gmayor! It actually works, having survived my part of the action. I would never have been able to do it - my colleague was too optimistic.

May I be greedy and ask you to change
'.Font.Color = RGB(0, 153, 255)'
to a darker blue and without bold? I tried but am no good even for that small change.

I'd like my interjections to look less reproachful.

And, would you allow me to post your message, including your reference to your website, in our Commons Room Forum? Other tutors work with the Style1 option, preferring interjections and writing teaching comments in a separate feedback file.

With lots of thanks,
Ulrike

gmayor · #7 08-21-2023, 08:05 AM

The font used is not bold, but to ensure that remains true

Code:

    With oRng
        .Collapse 0
        .Text = sComment & Chr(32)
        .Font.Color = RGB(51, 51, 204)
        .Font.Name = "Universe Condensed Light"
        .Font.Size = 11
        .Font.Bold = False
        .Collapse 0
        .Select
    End With

This uses a darker blue.

By all means pass on the message to your colleagues.

Ulrike · #8 08-22-2023, 01:50 AM

Thank you, Graham,

It's just perfect now.

My colleagues will be well pleased to have a no longer work-intensive option for their in-text comments even without being technologically gifted.

Thank you again,
Ulrike

Ulrike · #9 11-06-2023, 09:16 AM

Graham, I am so sorry, I messed up my perfectly working macro.

When it did not come up by pressing the assigned key, I could still get it in 'Viewing macros.'

I thought I had to reassign it. So, I started with your perfectly working instructions. But when I try to run it, I get 'Compile error: Invalid outside procedure'

I tried to understand the instructions in the Help link. My techie ambitions were not enough to understand how to proceed.

With my heartfelt apologies,
Ulrike

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Counting the amount of comments 'done' and 'not done' with a macro	caspy	Word VBA	2	10-23-2022 12:27 AM
Acronym Macro - Ms Word comments	Davereynolds1946	Word VBA	0	12-11-2021 04:45 AM
Macro to maintain formatting OR to delete all text (excluding comments)	jimmy12	Word VBA	6	05-15-2021 02:48 AM
Macro to highlight and bolden specific text in Word Comments	PCUSER	Word VBA	1	09-22-2020 03:08 PM
How to insert comments thro' macro	AlexandarR	Word VBA	4	06-05-2015 10:38 PM