Word line-breaking algorithm

[Milqn Vuk]

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]

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

[Milqn Vuk]

Are there more?
Excluding Word native.

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]

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]

This is really new to me. Thank you!

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

[macropod]

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

[Milqn Vuk]

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?

Originally Posted by macropod

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

[macropod]

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

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

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

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]

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]

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

Text justified with

wdAlignParagraphJustifyHi

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

wdAlignParagraphJustifyLow

.