Let's assume that you frequently make reports that require you to display information in three columns and in 18 point type. Instead of having to go through a long series of commands to create and format this table, you could create the following macro which would allow you to do it in one keystroke.

1.      To create the macro, click on Tools in the Word Toolbar. Click on , then Record A New Macro.  

2.  A dialog will appear. The first field in this box says MacroName. Replace the default name Macro1 with Table3x8col18 (This identifies the macro as creating 3 columns, 8 rows and  using 18 point type).

3.      Click on the Assign macro to KEYBOARD button. The cursor should now be in the "Shortcut Key box.  

4.   Press the CTRL and Q keys at the same time. 

5.   TAB several times to the ASSIGN button. Press ENTER.

6.   TAB as needed to get to the CLOSE button. Then press ENTER.

7.      You are now in the RECORD mode. A small box with two buttons should now appear on your screen. Everything that you type will now be stored in memory to create the steps in the macro command. It is important to realize that the Record Mode can only keep track of keystrokes. Mouse clicks will not be recorded. 

      The vertical bars are used to separate the different keystrokes required in that step. (Do not type in the vertical bars). The items in Red are the entries you need to make.

      The words in Blue represent the menu items you are selecting.

8.      Press ALT-A (Table) |  I (Insert)  | T (Table)  |  3  (Columns)  | TAB | 8 (Rows)  |  ENTER.   (This step creates a table with 3 columns and 8 rows).

9.     The cursor should now appear inside the first cell of your table. Press ALT-A  (Table) |  C  (Select)  | T (Table)  | ALT-O (Format) |  F  (Font)  |  TAB  |  TAB  | 18 |  ENTER.   (This sets the type size to 18 points).

10.  Now click on the STOP RECORD button. This is the little black square in the Macro box that appeared on your screen. This will end the recording session.

11.  To run the macro, you have two choices.

a.      You can click on Tools, Macro, Macro, Table3col18, then Run.  

OR

b.      Simply press the CTRL key and the Q keys on your keyboard at the same time.

12.   If you did everything right, a 3-column table with 8 rows should now appear. If you type FName, LName, and SSN in each of the top three cells, they should appear in large 18-point type.