# MS Word Find/Replace question

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-word-find-replace-question/199151>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 2, 2003, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-word-find-replace-question/199151 "2003-09-02T15:30:52Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Retief](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Retief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Retief)\
**Post date:** [September 2, 2003, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-word-find-replace-question/199151/1 "2003-09-02T15:30:52Z")

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When using MS Word Find&Replace function, is it possible to have it replace a character string with the “enter” character (carreturn/linefeed). I have a huge text and want to insert newlines every time the month is mentioned.

Any hints would be appreciated

Retief

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**Author:** ![Geobabe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/geobabe/32/3908_2.png) [@Geobabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Geobabe)\
**Post date:** [September 2, 2003, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-word-find-replace-question/199151/2 "2003-09-02T15:55:34Z")

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Yes. When you click into the “Replace with” box, click on the “More” button, then go to the bottom and click on “Special,” and select “Manual line break.”

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**Author:** ![Retief](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Retief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Retief)\
**Post date:** [September 2, 2003, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-word-find-replace-question/199151/3 "2003-09-02T16:06:01Z")

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Geobabe, many thanks, I really have to open my eyes and look better before I ask for tips,

Real men don’t ask for directions 🙂

Retief

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**Author:** ![dwc1970](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a183cd/32.png) [@dwc1970](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwc1970)\
**Post date:** [September 2, 2003, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-word-find-replace-question/199151/4 "2003-09-02T16:31:30Z")

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This one is easy. Just open up your find/replace box and enter the following:

Find what: January  
Replace with: January^p

Repeat this process for the remaining months.

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**Author:** ![dwc1970](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a183cd/32.png) [@dwc1970](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dwc1970)\
**Post date:** [September 2, 2003, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ms-word-find-replace-question/199151/5 "2003-09-02T16:36:20Z")

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As an addendum, be careful about the month of “May.” In case the word “may” comes up or appears as part of another word (maybe, dismay, mayhem, mayor, etc.) make sure Match case and Find whole word only are selected.