Tip of the week # 556
21 November 2018


Find and insert a word with a similar meaning (Microsoft Office) *

When you reread your document or email message before finalising it (you do, don't you?) do you ever spot you use the same word over and over again? If so, do you ever struggle to find a synonym?

You might know that MS Office offers a Thesaurus, which will suggest other words with a similar meaning to the one you have selected. The Thesaurus button can be found on the Review tab. Or perhaps you know (or remember ... tip_302.php) you can right-click a word? Perhaps you got yourself in the habit of using the ALT + click following tip 191 (tip_191.html)? Well, for some weird reason this last method doesn't work in PowerPoint, so why not learn a shortcut key that works everywhere?

Here's how:

  1. Position your insertion point in the word that is to be looked up.
  2. Press SHIFT + F7.
  3. If you want, right-click one of the alternative words and select Insert.

With thanks to Jens for this week's tip inspiration!

Related shortcuts:

  1. F7: Check the spelling of text
  2. ALT + F7: Find the next misspelling or grammatical error

Related tips:

  1. Tip # 302: Finding posh synonyms ( tip_302.php)
  2. Tip # 191: Translate words or phrases ( tip_191.html )

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* Unless stated otherwise, these tips were written for Microsoft Office 2010.