Use of Wildcards in Word 2007

Earlier, when I didn't know this function of finding a string of words, it used to take me lots of time. Now it takes just a few seconds. I pasted that instruction below for my easy access in case I forget.

Source: Microsoft

Search by using wildcards to find specific letters
Use wildcards to find and replace text

1. On the Home tab, in the Editing group, click Find or Replace.

2. Select the Use wildcards check box.

3. Do one of the following:

• To choose a wildcard character from a list, click Special, click a wildcard character, and then type any additional text in the Find what box. For more information, see the table Wildcards for items you want to find and replace.

• Type a wildcard character directly in the Find what box. For more information, see the table Wildcards for items you want to find and replace.

3. If you want to replace the item, click the Replace tab, and then type what you want to use as a replacement in the Replace with box.

3. Click Find Next, Find All, Replace, or Replace All.

Wildcards for items you want to find and replace

• When the Use wildcards check box is selected, Word finds only the exact text that you specify. Notice that theMatch case and Find whole words only check boxes are unavailable (dimmed) to indicate that these options are automatically turned on. You can't turn off these options.

• To search for a character that's defined as a wildcard, type a backslash (\) before the character. For example, type \? to find a question mark.

• You can use parentheses to group the wildcard characters and text and to indicate the order of evaluation. For example, type <(pre)*(ed)> to find "presorted" and "prevented".

• You can use the \n wildcard to search for an expression and then replace it with the rearranged expression. For example, type (Ashton) (Chris) in the Find what box and \2 \1 in the Replace with box. Word will findAshton Chris and replace it with Chris Ashton.

You can use wildcards to search for text. For example, you can use the asterisk (*) wildcard to search for a string of characters (for example, "s*d" finds "sad" and "started").

If you don't see the Use wildcards check box, click More.

To cancel a search in progress, press ESC.

 NOTES 

TO FIND	TYPE	EXAMPLE
Any single character	?	s?t finds sat and set.
Any string of characters	*	s*d finds sad and started.
The beginning of a word	<	<(inter) finds interesting and intercept, but not splintered.
The end of a word	>	(in)> finds in and within, but not interesting.
One of the specified characters	[ ]	w[io]n finds win and won.
Any single character in this range	[-]	[r-t]ight finds right and sight. Ranges must be in ascending order.
Any single character except the characters in the range inside the brackets	[!x-z]	t[!a-m]ck finds tock and tuck, but not tack or tick.
Exactly n occurrences of the previous character or expression	{n}	fe{2}d finds feed but not fed.
At least n occurrences of the previous character or expression	{n,}	fe{1,}d finds fed and feed.
From n to m occurrences of the previous character or expression	{n,m}	10{1,3} finds 10, 100, and 1000.
One or more occurrences of the previous character or expression	@	lo@t finds lot and loot.

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