I want to use Search/Find to ensure that I have two spaces at the end of each
sesntence. Using the wildcard feature does not work because it stops at the
end of sentences with one space or two because the wildcard doesn't
distinguish between a space or a character. I know there's an easier way.
Please direct me.

Rufus,

Assuming you use either ?, ., or ! to end your sentences, use the
following:

([\!\?.]) ([! ]) in find what
and
\1 \2 in replace with

That is ([\!\?.])a space([!a space])
and
\1twospaces\2

Hi Rufus-

No offense to you or anyone else, but is there a specific reason why you
need to do that? If so, OK, I don't mean to interfere. I understand that
certain gov't. agencies & organizations insist that this technique be
followed even though it is antiquated and unnecessary in the documents we
produce today using scalable fonts with proportional spacing.

The 2-space technique was adopted to prevent the appearance of 'crowding'
sentences when typed on our trusty old Royals & Underwoods. Typewriters are
monospaced devices which make no distinction between '. W' and '. I', whereas
the software & fonts we use on the computer adjust the spacing to what it
should be based on standards used by the typesetting industry. Using just the
one space will give the same spacing in your documents as you would find in
professionally printed magazines, newspapers, journals, books, etc.

Quite frankly, I originally misread your post and almost offered a totally
differeent response because the question I am far more frequently asked is
"How do I *remove* the two spaces and replace them with one?".

Hope this is useful & taken in the helpful manner intended. It's a shame to
spend time on something that need not (and arguably, should not) be done |:)

"Rufus" wrote:

I want to use Search/Find to ensure that I have two spaces at the end of each
sesntence. Using the wildcard feature does not work because it stops at the
end of sentences with one space or two because the wildcard doesn't
distinguish between a space or a character. I know there's an easier way.
Please direct me.

FWIW, there's a setting in the grammar checker that you can use to have it
flag instances of either one space or two.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
Word MVP FAQ site: http://word.mvps.org
Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup so
all may benefit.

"Rufus" wrote in message
...
I want to use Search/Find to ensure that I have two spaces at the end of
each
sesntence. Using the wildcard feature does not work because it stops at
the
end of sentences with one space or two because the wildcard doesn't
distinguish between a space or a character. I know there's an easier
way.
Please direct me.