Get a word count in Publisher
Applies ToPublisher for Microsoft 365 Publisher 2021 Publisher 2019 Publisher 2016 Publisher 2013 Publisher 2010

Get a word count of stories in your publication by editing the story in Microsoft Word. To do this, you need to first customize the Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) to include the Edit Story in Microsoft Word button.

Customize the Quick Access Toolbar (QAT)

  1. Click on the drop-down arrow to the right of the QAT. More down arrow

  2. Select More Commands.

  3. In the Publisher Options dialog, change the Choose commands from drop-down men to select Commands Not in the Ribbon.

  4. Scroll down and select Edit Story in Microsoft Word, click the Add button, and then click OK.

Add the Edit Story in Microsoft Word button to the Publisher QAT.

Use Word to count the words in a story

1. In your publication, click the text box that contains the words you want to count. If the text box is connected to other text boxes, all the words in the connected text boxes are counted.

2. Click the Edit Story in Microsoft Word button.

3. In Word, the word count will appear on the status bar at the bottom of the workspace.Word count showing in Word If you don't see the word count in the status bar, right-click the status bar, then and click Word Count.

4. In Word, click the File tab and then click Close to return to your publication.

Tip: You can also customize the ribbon to include the Edit Story in Microsoft Word button. For how to do this, see: Customize the ribbon.

Note: Before you can use the Edit Story in Microsoft Word, button you need to add the button to the ribbon or the Quick Access Toolbar.

Customize the ribbon or Quick Access Toolbar (QAT)

Before you can use the Edit Story in Microsoft Word button you need to add the button to the ribbon or the Quick Access Toolbar.

Customize the ribbon

  1. Click the File tab to open the Backstage View.

  2. Select Options.

  3. In the Publisher Options dialog, select Customize Ribbon.

  4. In the Customize the Ribbon drop-down menu, select Tool Tabs and then click Format under Text Box Tools.

  5. Click the New Group button then click the Rename button.

  6. Give your new custom group a name, such as Editing and click OK.

  7. In the Choose commands from drop-down menu, select Commands Not in the Ribbon.

  8. Select Edit Story in Microsoft Word and then click the Add button.

  9. Click OK.

Customize the Quick Access Toolbar

  1. Click on the drop-down to the right of the QAT.

  2. Select More Commands.

  3. In the Publisher Options dialog, change the Choose commands from drop-down men to select Commands Not in the Ribbon.

  4. Scroll down and select Edit Story in Microsoft Word, click the Add button, and then click OK.

Use Word to count the words in a story

  1. In your publication, click the text box that contains the words you want to count. If the text box is connected to other text boxes, all the words in the connected text boxes are counted.

  2. Click the Edit Story in Microsoft Word button.

  3. In Word the word count will appear on the status bar at the bottom of the workspace.Word count button If you don't see the word count in the status bar, right-click the status bar, then and click Word Count.

  4. In Word, click the File tab and then click Close to return to your publication.

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