Multiple Acronym Replacements

[Sundog]

In Word 2007, I have inherited a document with hundreds of acronyms, almost all of which take this form: <definition of acronym> followed by <(acronym)>. Like Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), used everywhere. The rules for acronyms in this document:

• Create an acronym table of all acronyms and their definitions.

• Rules for Headings, Figure Captions, and Table Captions: Replace each acronym with only its definition; no acronyms allowed.

• Rules for running text and table text: Shown below.

• Define each acronym only once per chapter (12 chapters) at its first use using the form shown above; subsequently in that chapter use the acronym only.

• If an acronym is only used once in the whole document, use its definition only and delete the acronym there, and delete its line from the Acronym Table.

• If an acronym is only used once in a chapter, use its definition only and delete the acronym at that location.

This means I need two different Search and Replace strategies, one for running and table text, which use several different styles.; and the second for Headings, Figure Captions, and Table Captions, which are all using standard Word styles. I have sketched out the steps to use, and am wondering if Visual Basic would be of any help. Or am I better off just iterating my steps manually?

Attached is my cumbersome first cut at the steps. Any suggestions welcome.

[HansV]

It might be possible to create a macro to do this but it'd be a lot of work to get it right.

You could perhaps count the occurrences before[/b] replacing the definitions with their acronyms instead of repairing things afterwards.

[Sundog]

Yes, that seems like a good idea. I'll press on manually. Thanks!