I have a large dictionary file. The headwords and parts of speech (noun, verb, etc.) have the same custom style. How do I change the parts of speach to a different custom style without changing the style of the headwords?

headword1 noun definition
headword2 noun definition
headword3 noun definition
headword4 verb definition


headword5 verb definition

I can use Find to search for "noun", "verb" etc., but how do I use Replace to change to a custom style. In the Replace window, under More>Replace>Format>Style..., custom styles are not listed.

Simply type in your replacement Style's name.

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

I thought my custom styles were not in the list, so after I got your reply I looked again more carefully, and sure enough they were there. I could then do the Find & Replace quite easily.

Thanks.

Is there any particular order to how the style names are listed in the Find & Replace window? It's not alphabetical. How can I find a style name quickly? Just hit the first letter of the style name repeatedly?

AFAIK the Styles list in the F/R dialogue is alpha-sorted - mine is. In any event, after opening that list, typing the first letter of the Style name should take you to that part of the list.

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

It may be sorted according to your preferences or settings in the Styles pane. Click on the dialog drop down (bottom right of Styles Group on Home tab):


and then on Options.


You get this:


I suspect that if you change these options to All Styles and Alphabetical it will change how the list is displayed in the Find and Replace dialog.

Thank you for pointing that out, Charles. In the options, "Select how list is sorted:" was set to "As recommended". I don't remember doing that. Anyway, I set it to "Alphabetical" and all is well now.

You are welcome.

"As recommended" is the default setting.

There's a certain logical elegance to that :-}