Is it possible to transpose two words in Microsoft Word?

Factual Questions
1

Greetings Microsoft Word Gurus (and anyone else who can answer this question)!

I have semi-long paper typed up using Microsoft Word 2010. What I’m trying to do swap two words for each other throughout half the document. For example, I need to replace every instance of “hot” with “cold” and every instance of “cold” with “hot”, simultaneously. I haven’t been able to figure out how to do this using “Find and Replace”, my Google-Fu is weak and Microsoft Word Help has been less than helpful.

Any suggestions?

2

Use a placeholder variable. Rename ‘hot’ to ‘tepid’, then rename ‘cold’ to ‘hot’. Finally, ‘tepid’ becomes ‘cold’.

3

Just be careful that your placeholder isn’t used anywhere. It’s better to use some unique nonsense word. I tend to use ZZZ for example. It’s not something that I would normally put into a document.

4

Wait wait wait, I had this question in an interview once. You need to use bitwise-XOR. ( :wink: )

5

Yes, this is an important point. Always search for your placeholder first.

6

So… I should use the incredibly obvious solution that I completely overlooked instead of the the overly complicated way that I spent too much time trying to figure out before giving up and asking for help? :smack:

7

“Never underestimate the power of Brute Force and Ignorance”

Words of advice from somebody with a degree in software engineering.
Computers do mundane stuff so fast you don’t need to think about optimizing it.

And any time you spend more than a minute or two thinking about anything, go ahead and ask. No need to reinvent the wheel.

8

Just use xxxxxxxx as the placeholder.

9

Nothing is obvious until someone shows it to you.