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"Find" function only takes alphabetical characters

In previous editions of Word, the "find" function could find anything. Now it is limited to alphabetic characters. I'm editing a 400 page document. I need to be able to locate people with the same last name and different first names. For instance, Edward McCabe and Sarah McCabe.

Word 365 is so limited. Is there an upgrade or an add-on available? Some way around this? If not, I'll have to load this book on an old computer

Answer
Answer

"Find all word forms" is your problem since this type of search can be used only for single words, and it's not what you want here, anyway. It is intended to be used primarily for verbs, so that if you enter, say, "bring," it will also find "brought" as well as "bringing," "brings," etc. As noted in the dialog, the feature is available only in English.

The description of this feature (for Word 2003) at http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word-help/find-and-replace-text-or-other-items-HP005189433.aspx explains:

You can search for:

Singular and plural noun forms

For example, replace "apple" with "orange" at the same time that you replace "apples" with "oranges".

All adjective forms

For example, replace "worse" with "better" at the same time that you replace "worst" with "best".

All tenses of a root verb

For example, replace "sit" with "stand" at the same time that you replace "sat" with "stood".

Microsoft MVP (Word) since 1999
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Last updated November 27, 2023 Views 1,786 Applies to: