Arrange shortest to longest sentence in Word

omar · #1 11-17-2015, 09:10 AM

Hello,

If I have 100 phrases on top of one another and I need to arrange the shortest phrase on top and longest at the bottom, is there a function in Word to do that?

For eg.

on cloud nine
fool's paradise
cry one's eyes out
grin from ear to ear
like a dog with two tails

Thanks. omar

macropod · #2 11-18-2015, 12:13 AM

In a word, no. It could be done with a specialised macro though.

omar · #3 11-18-2015, 12:35 AM

Paul, thank you very much, you don't know how much time I saved by your reply, I was searching for this function in Word. Is there anywhere I can read up about doing a macro on this? I guess I have been using the wrong keyword to search for answers till I find this forum. omar

Quote:

Originally Posted by macropod

In a word, no. It could be done with a specialised macro though.

macropod · #4 11-18-2015, 01:22 AM

You could run a macro like the following against a selection of paragraphs:

Code:

Sub Demo()
Application.ScreenUpdating = False
Dim Tbl As Table, i As Long
With Selection
  Set Tbl = .Range.ConvertToTable
  With Tbl
    .Columns.Add
    For i = 1 To .Rows.Count
      .Cell(i, 2).Range.Text = Len(.Cell(i, 1).Range.Text)
    Next
    .Sort ExcludeHeader:=False, FieldNumber:=2
    .Columns(2).Delete
    .ConvertToText
  End With
End With
Application.ScreenUpdating = True
End Sub

omar · #5 11-18-2015, 01:40 AM

Good grief, thanks a lot Paul!! Are all the experts playing in this forum?
I have a minor problem, when I run the macro, the results are a little bit out... what do you think I can do to fix this? Results below... omar

BEFORE
alpha bravo charlie
delta echo foxtrot
golf hotel india
juliet kilo lima
mike november oscar
papa quebec romeo
sierra tango uniform
victor whiskey xray
yankee zulu

AFTER
yankee zulu
golf hotel india
juliet kilo lima
papa quebec romeo
delta echo foxtrot
alpha bravo charlie
mike november oscar
victor whiskey xray
sierra tango uniform

Quote:

Originally Posted by macropod

You could run a macro like the following against a selection of paragraphs:

Code:

Sub Demo()
Application.ScreenUpdating = False
Dim Tbl As Table, i As Long
With Selection
  Set Tbl = .Range.ConvertToTable
  With Tbl
    .Columns.Add
    For i = 1 To .Rows.Count
      .Cell(i, 2).Range.Text = Len(.Cell(i, 1).Range.Text)
    Next
    .Sort ExcludeHeader:=False, FieldNumber:=2
    .Columns(2).Delete
    .ConvertToText
  End With
End With
Application.ScreenUpdating = True
End Sub

macropod · #6 11-18-2015, 04:13 AM

The sort is based on the number of characters on each line. If you change to a fixed-width font you'll see that. Note that some lines also have the same number of characters. If you want to sort on the basis of the string widths on each line, change:

Code:

.Cell(i, 2).Range.Text = Len(.Cell(i, 1).Range.Text)

to:

Code:

.Cell(i, 2).Range.Text = .Cell(i, 1).Range.Characters.Last.Previous.Information(wdHorizontalPositionRelativeToPage)

omar · #7 11-18-2015, 04:35 AM

You made my day Paul, people like you make computer idiots like me live easier. I will try your new Macro and will feedback to you, you have solved 95% of my problems. Thank you very much. omar

Quote:

Originally Posted by macropod

The sort is based on the number of characters on each line. If you change to a fixed-width font you'll see that. Note that some lines also have the same number of characters. If you want to sort on the basis of the string widths on each line, change:

Code:

.Cell(i, 2).Range.Text = Len(.Cell(i, 1).Range.Text)

to:

Code:

.Cell(i, 2).Range.Text = .Cell(i, 1).Range.Characters.Last.Previous.Information(wdHorizontalPositionRelativeToPage)

omar · #8 11-20-2015, 03:33 PM

Paul your skill is amazing, I have spent hours on the wedge organization & your Macro skill has saved my partner over an hour a week for the rest of his life. We are in your debt. Thanks very much. omar

Quote:

Originally Posted by omar

You made my day Paul, people like you make computer idiots like me live easier. I will try your new Macro and will feedback to you, you have solved 95% of my problems. Thank you very much. omar

macropod · #9 11-20-2015, 04:38 PM

You're welcome.

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