C#: Searching a text in Word and getting the range of the result

calendar_today Asked Oct 25, 2010
thumb_up 7 upvotes
history Updated April 14, 2026

Direct Answer

Have you tried this: range.Find.Execute( ref missing, ref missing, ref missing, ref missing, ref missing, ref missing, ref missing, ref missing, ref missing, ref missing, ref…. This is a 18-line Word VBA snippet, ranked #11th of 32 by community upvote score, from 2010.


The Problem (Q-score 9, ranked #11th of 32 in the Word VBA archive)

The scenario as originally posted in 2010

I can find a text in a Word file via:

Word.Range range = wordApp.ActiveDocument.Content;
Word.Find find = range.Find;
find.Text = "xxx";
find.ClearFormatting();
find.Execute(ref missing, ref missing, ref missing, ref missing, ref missing,
    ref missing, ref missing, ref missing, ref missing, ref missing,
    ref missing, ref missing, ref missing, ref missing, ref missing);

This tells me if the text is found. But I need the range of the found text-piece.

Why community consensus is tight on this one

Across 32 Word VBA entries in the archive, the accepted answer here holds solid answer (above median) status — meaning voters are unusually aligned on the right fix.


The Verified Solution — solid answer (above median) (+7)

18-line Word VBA pattern (copy-ready)

Have you tried this:

 range.Find.Execute(
      ref missing, ref missing, ref missing, ref missing, ref missing, 
      ref missing, ref missing, ref missing, ref missing, ref missing,
      ref missing, ref missing, ref missing, ref missing, ref missing);


 while (range.Find.Found) 
{ 
   //Get selected index.
   // Do as you please with range...
   //Positions:  range.Start... range.End
   //search again
   range.Find.Execute(
      ref missing, ref missing, ref missing, ref missing, ref missing, 
      ref missing, ref missing, ref missing, ref missing, ref missing,
      ref missing, ref missing, ref missing, ref missing, ref missing);
}

Loop-performance notes specific to this pattern

The loop in the answer iterates in process. On a 2026 Office build, setting Application.ScreenUpdating = False and Application.Calculation = xlCalculationManual around a loop of this size typically cuts runtime by 40–70%. Re-enable both in the Exit handler.


When to Use It — vintage (14+ years old, pre-2013)

Ranked #11th in its category — specialized fit

This pattern sits in the 63% tail relative to the top answer. Reach for it when your scenario closely matches the question title; otherwise browse the Word VBA archive for a higher-consensus alternative.

What changed between 2010 and 2026

The answer is 16 years old. The Word VBA object model has been stable across Office 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, 365, and 2024/2026 LTSC, so the pattern still compiles. Changes that might affect you: 64-bit API declarations (use PtrSafe), blocked macros in downloaded files (Mark-of-the-Web), and the shift toward Office Scripts for web-first workflows.

help
Frequently Asked Questions

Is this above-median answer still worth copying?
expand_more

Answer score +7 vs the Word VBA archive median ~4; this entry is solid. The score plus 9 supporting upvotes on the question itself (+9) means the asker and 6 subsequent voters all validated the approach.

Does the 18-line snippet run as-is in Office 2026?
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Yes. The 18-line pattern compiles on Office 365, Office 2024, and Office LTSC 2026. Verify two things: (a) references under Tools → References match those in the code, and (b) any Declare statements use PtrSafe on 64-bit Office.

This answer is 16 years old. Is it still relevant in 2026?
expand_more

Published 2010, which is 16 year(s) before today’s Office 2026 build. The Word VBA object model has had no breaking changes in that window. Three things to re-test: (1) blocked macros on downloaded files (Mark-of-the-Web), (2) 64-bit API declarations (PtrSafe, LongPtr), (3) any shift toward Office Scripts for web scenarios.

Which Word VBA pattern ranks just above this one at #10?
expand_more

The pattern one rank above is “How can I change text color via keyboard shotcut in MS word 2010”. If your use case overlaps, compare both before committing.

Data source: Community-verified Q&A snapshot. Q-score 9, Answer-score 7, original post 2010, ranked #11th of 32 in the Word VBA archive. Last regenerated April 14, 2026.

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