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Effortless Techniques for Inserting Text-Based Programming Into Microsoft Word

What to Know

• Go toInsert >Object >Microsoft Word Document >OK to prepare a new document.
• Then, paste the source code into that document and save it to automatically embed the code in the first document.
• You can also usePaste Special to insert a variety of data into a document, including code.

This article explains how to insert code in Word. Directions apply to Word 2010 and newer, including Word 2021 and Microsoft 365.

How to Insert Code in Word With an Embedded Document

While there isn’t an ‘insert code’ option or a dedicated code block in Word, there is a way to insert one document into another. This effectively creates an isolated section that houses all the code. Here’s how to make this work with your code:

These instructions only work with a single page of code.

1. Open the document you want the code to appear in, and selectInsert .
   
2. In theText group, selectObject .

3. From theCreate New tab, selectMicrosoft Word Document .

In Word 2007, selectOpenDocument Text .

4. Clear theDisplay as icon check box.
   
5. SelectOK .

6. A new document opens, titled Document in [target document file name ] . Save the document in the same folder as the original document.

7. Copy and paste the source code into the new document. Word automatically ignores the spaces, tabs, and other formatting problems. Spelling errors and grammatical errors are highlighted in the document, but these errors are ignored when the code is inserted in the original document.
   
8. Save and close the source code document. The code automatically appears in the main document.

You can’t edit this object directly because it’s really just an embedded document. Double-click the object to quickly open the document with the code.

Using Different Paste Types in Word

Modern versions of Word handle code better than they used to. Word forMicrosoft 365 supports several forms of pasting, including with and without source formatting. So pasting a block of code from your code-editing app will look different based on the paste type.

If you selectHome >Paste Special , each of the three options yields a different result:

• Unformatted Text : All code is pasted as unformatted, so you’ll lose indenting, color, typeface, and related contextual clues.
• HTML Format : This renders what appears to be a photo of the code, complete with the text editor’s background color. This code block is editable, and you can remove the background color if you wish.
• Unformatted Unicode Text : Pastes the text as is but strips the text and background colors. Re-format the code as needed.

The Problem With Using Source Code in Word

Programmers write software programs using languages like Java, C++, and HTML. Programming languages use different formatting and symbols from regular languages, so pasting a snippet of code into Word from a programming application causes errors such as text reformatting, indentation shifts, link creation, and misspellings.

Given how Microsoft Word structures documents, inserting and working with source code is more difficult than working in a dedicated code editor. However, despite missing a code block option, Word’s document embed feature creates a container that protects source code from being reformatted.

How to Use Text Boxes in Microsoft Word

FAQ

• How do I see formatting marks and codes in Word?
  Tosee formatting marks and codes in Word temporarily, go toHome and select theShow/Hide icon to toggle marks on and off. To keep them on permanently, go toFile >Options >Display >Show all formatting marks >OK .
• How do I add links in Word documents?
  Toadd a link in a Word document , highlight the text you want to hyperlink, right-click it, and selectLink . Alternatively, selectInsert >Links >Link and enter the URL.
• How do I convert a Word document to HTML?
  Toconvert a Word document to HTML , go toFile >Save As . UnderSave as Type , choose**.html** . You can also use an editor like Dreamweaver.

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