Find/Replace across field boundaries (Word 2000, sr1a)

[cjmackie]

Is it possible to find a piece of text that crosses a field boundary?

Here's the situation: I'm working with a Word add-in (EndNote), which is formatting citations and footnote references. Under certain circumstances EndNote messes up formatting in a predictable way, leaving me with, e.g., '.).,' [where the '.).' is inside the field, and the trailing ',' is outside it]. I need to search for the '.,', but despite the appearance of proximity, the field boundary lies between them.

I can find the field; I can find text entirely in the field; I can find text outside the field; but I can't find text across the boundary.

Any answers (or creative suggestions) from the experts?

[sgregg]

I don't think there is a way to find text which crosses a field boundary in Word, but you could use the following code:

Sub FixEndNote()
Dim myRange As Range
Selection.StartOf wdStory
With Selection.Find
.ClearFormatting
.Text = " ,"
.Forward = True
.Execute
While .Found = True
Set myRange = Selection.Range
Selection.Collapse wdCollapseStart
Selection.MoveRight wdCharacter, -1, wdExtend
If Selection.Fields.Count > 0 Then
myRange.Select
'do what you want here, eg Selection.Delete
Selection.Collapse wdCollapseEnd
End If
.Execute
Wend
.Text = ""
End With
End Sub

If you need to stick that " ," within the field result you will require more code.

[cjmackie]

Thanks very much! I'll give it a shot. --Chris