How to replace a string inside of a Word Document?

MS Word Question: How can I replace empty cells in an MS Word table with a string 'N/A' (quickly)?

• I have a rather long table of text in MS Word (It's too hard to copy it into excel due to formatting of the text). One column specifies whether the entry is applicable or not. The person who filled it out left all of the N/As blank. How can I do find & replace for empty table cells (in 1 column) and place 'N/A' if a cell is empty? I'm assuming I'll need a macro. I've done simple macros in excel before, but not in word. I'm running office 2003. Help? Thanks

• Answer:

  In the time it would take to do a custom macro you could do a zillion cut and paste operations. Put the cursor in the first box of that column. Type in "N/A" and then highlight it. Use control-C to copy it. Now go down tot he next box and use control-V to paste it there. Keep repeating the paste in every empty box that needs it. You will find that after a box or too you can get a rhythm going so that the whole task just takes a few seconds for each insertion. It is not classy but it will get you through the repair in a minute or so.