You can also use SciTE to paste code if you don’t want to install heavy IDEs and then download plugins for all the code you’re making. Simply choose your language from the language menu, type your code, high-light code, select Edit->Copy as RTF, paste into Word with formatting (default paste).
SciTE supports the following languages but probably has support for others: Abaqus*, Ada, ANS.1 MIB definition files*, APDL, Assembler (NASM, MASM), Asymptote*, AutoIt*, Avenue*, Batch files (MS-DOS), Baan*, Bash*, BlitzBasic*, Bullant*, C/C++/C#, Clarion, cmake*, conf (Apache), CSound, CSS*, D, diff files*, E-Script*, Eiffel*, Erlang*, Flagship (Clipper / XBase), Flash (ActionScript), Fortran*, Forth*, GAP*, Gettext, Haskell, HTML*, HTML with embedded JavaScript, VBScript, PHP and ASP*, Gui4Cli*, IDL — both MSIDL and XPIDL*, INI, properties* and similar, InnoSetup*, Java*, JavaScript*, LISP*, LOT*, Lout*, Lua*, Make, Matlab*, Metapost*, MMIXAL, MSSQL, nnCron, NSIS*, Objective Caml*, Opal, Octave*, Pascal/Delphi*, Perl, most of it except for some ambiguous cases*, PL/M*, Progress*, PostScript*, POV-Ray*, PowerBasic*, PowerShell*, PureBasic*, Python*, R*, Rebol*, Ruby*, Scheme*, scriptol*, Specman E*, Spice, Smalltalk, SQL and PLSQL, TADS3*, TeX and LaTeX, Tcl/Tk*, VB and VBScript*, Verilog*, VHDL*, XML*, YAML*.
It can be done without taking snapshots of each segment
What to Know
- To embed a second document into a Word document: Insert > Object > Create New > Word Document > clear Display as icon > OK.
- You can also use Paste Special to insert a variety of data into a document, including code.
This article explains issues with using source code in Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2019, Word 2016, Word 2013, Word 2010, and Word 2007 and instructions for embedding a second document in a Word file. It also provides information on pasting other data into a Word document.
The Problem With Using Source Code in Word
Programmers write software programs using languages such as 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, document embeds create a container that protects source code from being reformatted.
One way to avoid these formatting issues is to paste the source code into a separate document within the main Word document.
Embed a Second Document Into a Word Document
Here’s how to paste source code into a Word document using a second embedded document.
These instructions only work with a single page of code.
-
Open the target document in Microsoft Word and place the cursor where the source code will appear.
-
Select Insert.
-
In the Text group, select Object.
-
In the Object dialog box, select the Create New tab.
-
In the Object type list, Select Microsoft Word Document.
In Word 2007, select OpenDocument Text.
-
Clear the Display as icon check box.
-
Select OK.
-
A new document opens, titled Document in [target document file name]. Save the document in the same folder as the target document.
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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.
-
Save and close the source code document. The source code appears in the main document.
-
Resume work on the main document.
Using Different Paste Types in Word
The most up-to-date versions of Word handle code better than they used to. Word for Microsoft 365 supports several forms of pasting, including with and without source formatting. So pasting a block of code from, for example, Microsoft Visual Studio Code will look different based on the paste type. If you select 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: From VSC, a paste-as-HTML 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 in the Paragraph Fill menu option.
- Unformatted Unicode Text: Pastes the text as is but strips the text and background colors. Re-format the code as needed.
FAQ
-
How do I see formatting marks and codes in Word?
To see formatting marks and codes in Word temporarily, go to Home and select the Show/Hide icon to toggle marks on and off. To keep them on permanently, go to File > Options > Display > Show all formatting marks > OK.
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How do I add links in Word documents?
To add a link in a Word document, highlight the text you want to hyperlink, right-click it, and select Link. Alternatively, select Insert > Links > Link and enter the URL.
-
How do I convert a Word document to HTML?
To convert a Word document to HTML, go to File > Save As. Under Save as Type, choose .html. You can also use an editor like Dreamweaver.
Thanks for letting us know!
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If you’re creating an article, instructional piece, or essay in Microsoft Word, you may need to include a snippet of code. Whether HTML, JavaScript, or Python, you likely want it to appear different than the document text.
There are a few ways to insert command or code blocks in your Word document. Depending on if you want the reader to simply view the code or have the ability to copy it, let’s walk through the options.
Option 1: Paste Special as HTML
One of the quickest ways to add code to your document is with the Paste Special option for HTML. This inserts the code you’ve copied without the other formatting of your document. And, this option allows your reader to copy the code or command straight from your document.
RELATED: How to Paste Text Without Formatting Almost Anywhere
Select the code or command from your application and copy it using the toolbar, the context menu, or the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+C on Windows or Command+C on Mac.
Place your cursor in your Word document where you want to paste it. Then go to the Home tab, click the Paste drop-down arrow, and choose Paste Special. Select “HTML Format” and click “OK.”
When the code appears in your document, you can format the font or the snippet if you like.
Use the Home tab to color specific pieces of code with the Font section of the ribbon. To add a border or shade, select the Borders drop-down arrow in the Paragraph section and pick “Borders and Shading.”
Option 2: Insert an Object
If you want to insert the code or command in your document only for the reader to see and not copy or edit, you can insert an object containing the snippet.
RELATED: How to Insert a Picture or Other Object in Microsoft Office
Go to the Insert tab, click the Object drop-down arrow, and pick “Object.”
On the Create New tab, select “OpenDocument Text” as the Object Type. Click “OK.”
A new Word document will open for you to insert your code or command. You can use the Paste Special HTML format described earlier if you like. After you add the snippet, close the document.
Your code then appears in your original Word document as an object. You can then move it, resize it, or add a border if you wish.
Option 3: Attach a Screenshot
Another option for adding your snippet as an item instead of text is using an image. If you have your code or command in an active application window like Notepad++ or Command Prompt, you can easily add it to your document. The drawbacks here are that the reader can’t easily copy your code if they need to and that resizing may negatively affect readability.
Go to the Insert tab and click the Screenshot drop-down arrow. You should see the application window as an option.
Select it and it’ll pop into your document as an image. You can then crop the image to remove the surrounding application window if you like.
Alternatively, you can use the Screen Clipping option in the Screenshot drop-down. When you select this tool, your cursor changes to a crosshair. Use it to drag the area of your screen or other application window you want to capture and release.
That image then appears in your document. You can move, resize, or customize the snippet screenshot like any other image in Word.
Option 4: Use a Syntax Highlighter
One more option is to use a syntax highlighter like Easy Syntax Highlighter. This is a free add-in for Microsoft Word that highlights your code for you including a background and colors for pieces of the code. Plus, you can customize the language and appearance.
RELATED: How to Install and Use Add-ins for Microsoft Office
After you install the add-in, place the code or command in your document. You can type or paste it, whichever you prefer.
Select the code and go to the Easy Syntax Highlighter tab that now displays. To apply the default formatting with the language automatically detected, select “Highlight Selection” in the ribbon.
You’ll see your snippet highlighted and your text formatted.
If you want to select a specific language or formatting, select “Settings” in the ribbon instead. When the sidebar opens, choose a Language and Theme.
With your code selected, click “Highlight Selection” in the sidebar.
You’ll then see your snippet formatted per the settings you picked. This keeps your code or command as text so your reader can copy it, but makes it stand out as its own block.
There’s more than one way to add a code or command block to your Word document. Depending on the purpose for your reader, choose the option that’s best for you!
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Hi fellow developer! In this article, we will answer the question: How do you Display Code Snippets in Microsoft Word?
The Sample code snippet we want to include in a Word document
Below, you can see an example of a code snippet to be included in our Word document:
SELECT * FROM table1 t1 INNER JOIN table2 t2 ON t1.ID=t2.ID; GO
The above code snippet is actually an SQL statement and we want to include it in a word document as a snippet.
How to include the code snippet in a Word document
The easiest way to include the above code snippet in a Word document, is to insert it as an object.
Therefore, in order to do this, you need to follow the below steps, within your Word document:
- Navigate to the “Insert” tab in the Word ribbon (menu)
- Click on “Object”
- Select “OpenDocument Text” and click OK – a new Word window/doc launches:
- Within the new Word window:
- Type or paste your code with no spacing
- Select all text and add a border (outside borders)
- Select all text and add shading (grey for example)
- Exit the document
- After you perform the above, you can see that you will return to the original Word document, and this time, a formatted code snippet box with the text you pasted/typed, will be displayed.
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Artemakis Artemiou is a Senior SQL Server Architect, Author, a 9 Times Microsoft Data Platform MVP (2009-2018). He has over 15 years of experience in the IT industry in various roles. Artemakis is the founder of SQLNetHub and {essentialDevTips.com}. Artemakis is the creator of the well-known software tools Snippets Generator and DBA Security Advisor. Also, he is the author of many eBooks on SQL Server. Artemakis currently serves as the President of the Cyprus .NET User Group (CDNUG) and the International .NET Association Country Leader for Cyprus (INETA). Moreover, Artemakis teaches on Udemy, you can check his courses here.
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In most cases, folks tend to use Notepad to add code blocks and commands, but if you already have Microsoft Word opened, then there is no need to fire up Notepad at all. From what we can tell, Microsoft Word is just as good, if not better, if you know how to paste commands and code blocks. let us see how to add Code Blocks and Commands in Microsoft Word.
Now, there are several ways to insert code blocks and commands to Word, but not a significant number. It all boils down to whether you want the reader to have the ability to copy the contents or just to view them. As expected, we are going to discuss how to accomplish each task. Worry not because everything will be easy to understand.
- Copy the code block or command
- Open Microsoft Word
- Paste content as HTML
- Insert code as an object
- Use Easy Syntax Highlighter
1] Copy the code block or command
Wherever you have the code block or command saved, you must copy the relevant content before we can send it over to Microsoft Word.
- Press CTRL + A to highlight to the code.
- From there, hit CTRL + C to copy everything.
- Alternatively, use the keyboard to highlight a certain section of the code.
- Then press CTRL + C to copy.
2] Open Microsoft Word
The next step to take here is to open a blank Microsoft Word document. This is where we will paste the code block or command recently copied.
- Open the Word application from the desktop or via the Apps section.
- From the main menu, please click on Blank Document.
You should now be looking at a blank document ready to be populated with content.
3] Paste content as HTML
If you want folks to copy the command or code block from your document, we suggest using the Paste Special as HTML feature. This is one of the fastest ways to add such content to a Word document as it inserts the code without using another formatting of the document.
- Place the mouse cursor to the section where you want the code to appear.
- Navigate to the Home tab.
- After that, you must click on the Paste button found on the Ribbon.
- Via the dropdown menu, please select Paste Special.
- Select the option that reads, HTML Format.
- Hit the OK button.
- The code block or command should now be visible in HTML format.
- Return to the Home tab to color the specified section of your code if you wish.
Easy, right? We agree.
4] Insert code as an object
This option is for those who want to share their code or command with others, but without giving the ability to copy. Viewers can only look, but cannot touch, though that does not stop them from taking screenshots.
- Find the Insert tab in Microsoft Word
- You must now click on the Object icon.
- From the dropdown menu, select Object.
- A new window known as Object should now appear.
- From that window, please select OpenDocument Text.
- Hit the OK button.
- A new document window will load.
- You can now paste the copied code block or command into this new document.
- Finally, close the document.
If all goes according to plan, the code or command should show up in the original Word document as an Object.
5] Use Easy Syntax Highlighter
If you want to highlight your code blocks and commands, then we suggest downloading the Microsoft Word add-in known as Easy Syntax Highlighter. Visit the official page to get it on your system right now.
- Now that the add-in is up and running, paste the code block or command.
- Select the command or code.
- From there, go to the Easy Syntax Highlighter tab.
- In order to deploy the default formatting, click on Highlight Selection.
- Your snippet will be selected and text formatted.
Read: How to Warp and Convert multiple Words to one Shape in Illustrator
How do I insert HTML code into a Word document?
Inserting HTML codes into a Word document is a simple task if you know what you’re doing.
- All you have to do is open a blank Word document.
- Got to the Insert tab.
- Navigate to the Text section.
- Click on the Object icon.
- Select Text From File.
- Take advantage of the file type selector from the Insert File box.
- Choose the All Web Pages option.
- Convert File box should now appear.
- Select Other Encoding.
- Finally, hit the OK button.
Can you write code in Microsoft Word?
You can write whatever you want in Microsoft Word because after all, it is a word processing tool. Still, tools such as Notepad will always be best for writing code due to their simplicity and specialized features.
Vamien has studied Computer Information Services and Web Design. He has over 10 years of experience in building desktop computers, fixing problems relating to Windows, and Python coding.