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Fun at Work: Microsoft Word "Easter Egg"

This isn't exactly an easter egg, because it's actually documented in Microsoft's knowledge base, but it's one of those features that you just weren't expecting so it still qualifies.

This should work in any version of Microsoft Word… Just open up a new document, and then type in =rand() into the document:

image

And then hit enter…  voila! Three paragraphs of text will be instantly added…

image

You can add more than 3 paragraphs or more than 5 sentences per paragraph by using the following syntax

   =rand(paragraphs,sentences)

For instance, for 6 paragraphs of 20 sentences each, you would use:

   =rand(6,20)

Update

You can also use =lorem() instead of rand(), with the same syntax if you wanted to insert the Lorem Ipsum text instead of completely random text. Thanks to will in the comments for the update!

I've also added an example of the lorem ipsum generator.

Enjoy!

Mysticgeek is the resident IT expert at How-To Geek and a huge rock music fan. When he's not writing about Microsoft Office, he's probably writing at his personal blog. This article was written on 09/4/07 and tagged with: Microsoft Office

Comments (11)

  1. scott

    What is the purpose of this????

  2. The Geek

    There's not really a purpose for it… that's why the title says "Fun at work"

    It's just an interesting trick.

  3. Wikzo

    OpenOffice got some fun easter eggs like a Tic-Tac-Toe and Space Invaders game.

    Find them here:
    http://www.eggheaven.com/

    :)

  4. Juliana Peña

    Any way to make this insert Lorem Ipsum instead of the Word help text?

  5. will

    you can also do =lorem()

  6. The Geek

    Wow!

    I had no idea you could also use the =lorem()… that's awesome.

  7. Dillz42

    Just a small note, Microsoft office 2003 will use the sentence "The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog" instead of random text from help.

  8. Scarleth

    This is actually example text for paragraph structure and font settings, its not meant to be anything specific except text for you to work with.

  9. pipo

    i don't think =lorem() works for MS Office 2003

  10. Anonymous

    pipo, you're right. it doesn't work in MS office 2003, at least not on mine.

    - Anonymous

  11. Anonymous

    um, i'm the anonymous who you don't know, not them crazy guys. lol haha. (really im the unknown one)


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