How to Get a Character Count in Word 2019: A Step-by-Step Guide

Getting a character count in Word 2019 is a breeze. In just a few simple clicks, you’ll have all the information you need about the length of your document. It’s perfect for those moments when you’re trying to meet a character limit for a project or just curious about the length of your work.

Step by Step Tutorial: Getting a Character Count in Word 2019

Before diving into the steps, let’s understand why you’d want to know the character count of your document. Whether you’re a student working on an assignment with a character limit, a professional preparing a report, or a writer keeping track of your work, having this info at your fingertips is essential.

Step 1: Open your document in Word 2019

Open the Word document you want to check the character count for.

Once your document is open, you’re ready to find out the length of your text. Make sure your document is finalized before checking the count, as any changes will affect it.

Step 2: Click on the ‘Review’ tab

In the top menu of Word, click on the ‘Review’ tab.

The ‘Review’ tab is where you’ll find many tools to help you finalize your document, such as spell check and word count.

Step 3: Look for ‘Word Count’ in the ‘Proofing’ group

Within the ‘Review’ tab, find the ‘Word Count’ button in the ‘Proofing’ group.

The ‘Word Count’ button may be overlooked if you’re not familiar with the ‘Review’ tab, but it’s right there among other helpful tools.

Step 4: Click on ‘Word Count’

Click the ‘Word Count’ button.

A small window will pop up with various statistics about your document, including the character count.

Step 5: View the character count in the pop-up window

In the pop-up window, look for the ‘Characters (with spaces)’ and ‘Characters (without spaces)’.

The character count is displayed in two ways: with spaces and without. This is useful because some requirements may specify one or the other.

After you’ve completed these steps, you’ll have successfully found the character count of your document. You can use this information to ensure you meet any requirements or simply keep track of the length of your work.

Tips for Getting a Character Count in Word 2019

• If you’re frequently checking character counts, consider adding the ‘Word Count’ button to the Quick Access Toolbar for easier access.
• Remember that the character count includes everything in the document, even the characters in headers, footers, and footnotes.
• Use ‘Save As’ to keep a copy of your document before finalizing the character count, in case you need to make further changes.
• The character count can be a helpful way to gauge the size and scope of your document, so check it early in your writing process.
• If you’re working with a strict character limit, keep an eye on the ‘Characters (without spaces)’ count, as this is typically the one that matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between ‘Characters (with spaces)’ and ‘Characters (without spaces)’?

‘Characters (with spaces)’ includes every single character in your document, including spaces between words. ‘Characters (without spaces)’ counts only letters, numbers, and punctuation marks, excluding spaces.

Can I check the character count of a selected portion of text?

Yes, you can! Simply highlight the text you want to check, and then follow the steps to get the character count for that specific section.

Does the character count include text in text boxes and shapes?

Yes, the character count includes text in text boxes, shapes, headers, footers, and footnotes.

Is there a keyboard shortcut to open the ‘Word Count’ window?

There isn’t a direct keyboard shortcut, but you can add ‘Word Count’ to the Quick Access Toolbar and then use the Alt key followed by the number that corresponds to its position on the toolbar.

Can I get a character count in Word 2019 for Mac?

Yes, the process is similar to the one for Windows. Just look for the ‘Word Count’ option in the ‘Tools’ menu.

Summary

1. Open your document in Word 2019.
2. Click on the ‘Review’ tab.
3. Find ‘Word Count’ in the ‘Proofing’ group.
4. Click on ‘Word Count’.
5. View the character count in the pop-up window.

Conclusion

In conclusion, getting a character count in Word 2019 is a straightforward process that can be completed in just a few steps. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or a writer, knowing the character count of your document can be critical. It helps you adhere to character limitations, gauge the size of your document, and keep track of your work. Remember, the character count includes all characters in your document, so be sure to check it after your final edit. With the tips and FAQs provided, you should have a comprehensive understanding of how to get a character count in Word 2019 and how to use it effectively in your writing process. Keep writing, and don’t let character counts limit your creativity, but rather let them guide you to concise and impactful writing.