Hello, I need some help navigating the word search function. I am searching a large text document (1,856 pages). Within the pages are random nucleotide sequences. I am trying to search for characters that are known and characters that are unknown for example: I need to know all CCACxxxGGA phrases in my document, where x represents any alphabetical letter. Does anyone know how to search for something like this? If not, can you refer me to a program that would allow me to complete such a query.



Thank You

Have you tried using the "Wildcard" search option? Here is a link: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/wo...005189433.aspx and scroll down to Search by using wildcards. I must admit that I have never used this option and I am assuming that it will only show you your search results "one at a time" and not as a "list" of what you want.

If I am off-base, I apoligize...

It's to late to apologize.....to late. Thanks for the advice. It would require a lot of painstaking data analysis. I was hoping there was an easier way, but there doesn't appear to be.

Hi jarodshelly,

Using a wildcard Find for CCACxxxGGA is not at all difficult. It's as simple as:
Find = CCAC???GGA

Furthermore, you can even do it without using the wildcard setting, using:
Find = CCAC^?^?^?GGA

__________________
Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]