Word line-breaking algorithm

Milqn Vuk · #1 01-26-2025, 10:27 AM

Hi all, sorry if my question is off-topic here.
Word used a very bad algorithm to determine where it can break lines (text justification) which has evolved over time, improved considerably, and I know that it is also possible to use the WordPerfect breaking algorithm.

My question is.
Is it possible to use VBA to modify the justification algorithm/rules used by Word?
If not, would it be possible to do that in some other way?

I’ve searched a lot but found no results. I suppose that means messing with Word’s justification is not possible. Nevertheless, I wanted to check here.

macropod · #2 01-26-2025, 01:14 PM

You can only choose one of the line-wrap algorithms built into the program itself (e.g. WordPerfect, as you noted).

Milqn Vuk · #3 01-26-2025, 01:23 PM

Are there more?
Excluding Word native.

Quote:

Originally Posted by macropod

You can only choose one of the line-wrap algorithms built into the program itself (e.g. WordPerfect, as you noted).

macropod · #4 01-26-2025, 01:44 PM

Word changed the justification algorithm with the introduction of Word 2013. Presumably, saving it with compatibility for Word 2010 or earlier will default to the older algorithm.
See: Document.SaveAs2 method (Word) | Microsoft Learn and WdCompatibilityMode enumeration (Word) | Microsoft Learn

As for other justification options, see: WdParagraphAlignment enumeration (Word) | Microsoft Learn. I haven't tried the JustifyHi/Low/Med options, so I can't tell you what they do.

Milqn Vuk · #5 01-26-2025, 01:50 PM

This is really new to me. Thank you!

Is there a way to choose between different settings, e.g. to specifically choose wdAlignParagraphJustifyHi?

macropod · #6 01-26-2025, 01:56 PM

The WdParagraphAlignment constants apply to the .ParagraphFormat.Alignment property.

Milqn Vuk · #7 01-26-2025, 02:25 PM

Sorry, I am a complete beginner with VBA so I must ask like this. In the specifications you sent me, there were the following:

wdAlignParagraphJustifyLow-Justified with a low character compression ratio.
wdAlignParagraphJustifyHi-Justified with a high character compression ratio.

Is it possible to choose one enumeration and apply it to the whole document/or selected part, or is that something that is not possible to apply?

Quote:

Originally Posted by macropod

The WdParagraphAlignment constants apply to the .ParagraphFormat.Alignment property.

macropod · #8 01-26-2025, 02:29 PM

Well, yes, you could do that quite simply with a macro like:

Code:

Sub Demo()
ActiveDocument.Range.ParagraphFormat.Alignment = wdAlignParagraphJustifyLow
End Sub

or you could apply it to selected paragraphs with a macro like:

Code:

Sub Demo()
Selection.Range.ParagraphFormat.Alignment = wdAlignParagraphJustifyHi
End Sub

As I said, though, I haven't tried the JustifyHi/Low/Med options, so I can't tell you what they do.

For PC macro installation & usage instructions, see: Installing Macros
For Mac macro installation & usage instructions, see: https://wordmvp.com/Mac/InstallMacro.html

Milqn Vuk · #9 01-26-2025, 02:33 PM

Thanks for the answer and code.
I will try macros and report back if there is any visible change in the text appearance.

Milqn Vuk · #10 02-03-2025, 04:45 PM

Here is what these options do. They are not substitutes for WordPerfect justification.

Text justified with

Code:

wdAlignParagraphJustifyHi

looks almost left aligned, it is not filling full-text width, while the text justified with normal Word justification, appears to be

Code:

wdAlignParagraphJustifyLow

.

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