How to turn "<--" into an arrow symbol...

[Fern]

Hi,

Until recently, I was able to automatically insert an arrow symbol (like
Wingding #223 or #231) into a Word document by just typing in the following:
<-- or <==. I guess it worked like an AutoFormat entry except that there's no
mention of it in the official AutoFormat menu. It was a great feature and it
meant that I didn't have to always use Insert>Symbol or Insert>AutoShape to
get an arrow in my text.

But now it doesn't work any more. And I can't search for info about it
online because the search engines don't recognise "<--" as text. Very
frustrating!

Does anyone out there recognise this great little tweak and do you know how
I can get it back???

Thanks!

 

[Lene Fredborg]

By default, the arrows are in the list of AutoCorrect entries. If they are
missing, you can create them again:
In the document, insert the symbol you want to use as the arrow and select it.
Then select Tools > AutoCorrect Options > AutoCorrect tab. In the "Replace"
field, type "<--" (or whatever you want to use to trigger the AutoCorrect
entry). The symbol you selected in the document should automatically be
filled into the "With" field. Make sure that "Formatted text" is selected.
Click Add.

--
Regards
Lene Fredborg
DocTools - Denmark
www.thedoctools.com
Document automation - add-ins, macros and templates for Microsoft Word

 

[Fern]

Oh that worked PERFECTLY!!
I'd tried adding it to AutoCorrect but hadn't known about selecting the
symbol ahead of time and so could never get it to be recognised by the
autocorrect form.

Thank you SO much Lene. I mean it!!

 

[Basil Brush]

Oh that worked PERFECTLY!!
I'd tried adding it to AutoCorrect but hadn't known about selecting the
symbol ahead of time and so could never get it to be recognised by the
autocorrect form.

Thank you SO much Lene. I mean it!!

Another way is to assign a keyboard shortcut to the arrow of your choice in
Insert | Symbol. Hey Presto, as easy as that, (eg) I assigned the upward
pointing arrow [bottom line in Wingdings, 14th from the left] to represent
the "Shift" key on the keyboard. Rupert B