Deleting Multiple Comments

While editing in Word, you may use Word's Comments feature (Insert > Comment) to insert questions for your client--or possibly your client has used comments to insert questions for you. In either case, there will probably come a time when you need to remove the comments so the file can be used for typesetting. But deleting comments one at a time can be a real pain.

The solution? A trusty macro, of course. Here's a simple macro that will delete all the comments in a document:

Dim aComment
For Each aComment In ActiveDocument.Comments
aComment.Delete
Next

If you don't know how to use such macros, you'll find instructions here:

http://lists.topica.com/lists/editorium/read/message.html?mid=1706922855

But what if there are comments you don't *want* to delete? For example, what if the only comments you want to remove are the ones you created? The following macro will do the trick:

Dim aComment
For Each aComment In ActiveDocument.Comments
If ActiveDocument.Comments(1).Initial = "JML" Then
aComment.Delete
End If
Next

Just put your own initials in the macro in place of "JML" and off you go--comments deleted; problem solved.

_________________________________________

RESOURCES

Making Word Work for You: An Editor's Intro to the Tool of the Trade, by Hilary Powers

ISBN: 978-1-880407-22-6

If you've spent much time in user groups related to Microsoft Word and freelance copyediting, you're probably familiar with the helpful and distinctive postings from Hilary Powers, an expert word-whacker and one of the most respected and successful freelancers I know. When Hilary talks, people listen. And now for the big news: Hilary has released her long-awaited book, Making Word Work for You! You can learn more about the book here:

http://www.the-efa.org/res/booklets.html

Here's the "official" description: "Successful freelance editor Hilary Powers explains how to get the most out of Microsoft Word when editing manuscripts on screen. Among the subjects she covers are personalizing the program and the screen to meet your needs and taste, deploying Word's custom features, domesticating Track Changes, creating and using macros and templates, coping with the snares and pitfalls Word users often encounter, and finding useful resources and program add-ins. With this guidance, editors can increase their page-per-hour throughput--and their income."

Making Word Work for You is available from the Editorial Freelancers Association as a printed booklet and as a downloadable PDF file, both for a price that is less than a lunch at the food court in the mall. If your time is worth anything, you *must* read this book. Nobody--and I mean nobody--understands how to wring productivity out of Microsoft Word the way Hilary does. Don't wait--get this book *now* and follow Hilary's advice. You'll be glad you did. You can buy the book here:

http://www.lulu.com/content/1175135

Many thanks to Hilary for providing such a valuable resource.