You can use Microsoft Word to find and replace text and you can extend your search by using wildcards to find words or phrases that contain specific letters or combinations of letters.

For example, use the asterisk (*) wildcard to search for a string of characters (“b*n” finds “ban” and “balloon“).

1. On the Edit menu, click Find or Replace.
2. If you don’t see the Use wildcards check box, click More.
3. Select the Use wildcards check box.
4. Enter a wildcard character in the Find What box.  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.
   ♦  Type a wildcard character directly in the Find what box.  (See wildcards in table below.)
5. If you want to replace the item, enter what you want to use as a replacement in the Replace with box.
6. Click Find Next, Replace, or Replace All. (Use CAUTION using Replace All!)

To cancel a search in progress, press ESC.

NOTES

• When the Use wildcards check box is selected, Word finds only the exact text you specify.  (Notice that the Match case and Find whole words only check boxes are unavailable (dimmed) to indicate that these options are automatically 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.

Below are examples of different wildcards to use: 

Notes

• 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 (Uhas) (Gretchen) in the Find what box and \2 \1 in the Replace with box.  Word will find “Uhas Gretchen” and replace it with “Gretchen Uhas”.