Generate sample text to test a document layout

Use =lorem() and =rand() with paragraph and sentence counts to explore formatting on a blank document.

Applies to Word 0.7.0 on doc.et.

Generate a sample paragraph#

Enter at the end of a paragraph containing exactly =rand() or =lorem() replaces the formula with five paragraphs of three sentences and leaves the caret in a following empty paragraph. =rand(p) / =lorem(p) set the paragraph count; (p,s) sets both counts. WordCraft accepts integers from 1 to 200 for each count; if either parameter is invalid or outside that range, both revert to 5/3. Other text, a selection or Enter inside the formula follows ordinary Enter behaviour. The English text is original to WordCraft; lorem ipsum uses traditional pseudo-Latin. This implements the issue's requested defaults; the exact numerical limits have not been compared in Word.

The replacement and its paragraph breaks are one undo step. Typing and paragraph formatting use the existing editing primitives.

Use sample text to check layout#

1. Open Word; the Home ribbon and a blank document are ready for composing.
2. Switch to Latin typing mode and enter =lorem(2,3) as the entire paragraph.
3. Press Enter at the end of the formula to create two paragraphs of three sentences.
4. Try paragraph styles, columns or spacing, then use Undo if you want to remove the generated material.

=lorem()
=lorem(2,3)
=rand(3,2)

Keep the trigger exact#

The expansion requires a paragraph containing only the formula, with the caret at its end and no selection. Extra surrounding text or Enter in the middle follows ordinary editing behaviour. Invalid or out-of-range parameters fall back to the default counts rather than requesting an unbounded amount of text.

Use placeholder text responsibly#

Sample text is a layout aid, not finished content. Replace it before sharing your document, and check that headers, footers and text boxes do not still contain placeholders. Save a separate template if you want to reuse the layout without accidentally carrying sample copy into your next project.

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• Text, styles and lists →