I have a document where the key information that I need to extract is in a certain font type and size. So say the document is 10,000 words long and there are say 2,000 words formatted this way that I need to extract.

There is no other way to identify the key information.



So I want to search and replace the font and size and 'replace' with (say) '^p###'. But I don't want to lose the original text! Then I can sort the paragraphs and bingo, the important stuff is grouped together.

Is this possible?

While it's not clear from your message what those characters represent, you can certainly replace formatting without losing the text. In Word 2003, open the replace dialogue with Edit/Replace (Ctrl+H or Alt+E,E), place your cursor in the "Find what" box, and click on the More button, lower left. At bottom left, you'll see a Format button, which will reveal a menu including Font. When you have selected the font and characteristics you want to replace, move your cursor to the "Replace with" box and choose the font and characteristics you wish to have appear. Then click on Replace all (Alt+A).

Does that solve your problem?

Thanks for your reply. I will try to be clearer.

I have a document where there are certain words that I want to extract to a new document. Lets' say there are lots of author's names embedded in a large document fairly randomly. And that the authors' names happen to be (uniquely) in Arial 13pt italic. If I could search for the formatting and append or prefix the contained word/name with '^p###' then I could sort by paragraph and the names would be grouped together.