The Editing Blog - Louise Harnby | Crime Fiction and Thriller Editor

Save time editing in Word with Quick Parts

4/2/2026

Learn how to edit more efficiently in Microsoft Word using the Quick Parts tool.

In this article ...

What Quick Parts is
Why Quick Parts makes editing more efficient
Common editing tasks you can streamline with Quick Parts
How to create a Quick Part
How to insert a Quick Part while editing
How to review or edit your Quick Parts
Tips for naming your Quick Parts
Quick Parts versus third-party text-expansion tools

Do you edit in Word?

If you edit Word documents, and find yourself typing the same phrases, inserting standard text blocks or fixing the same formatting issues over and over again, Microsoft Word has a built‑in feature that can help you: Quick Parts.

In this article, we’ll look at what Quick Parts is, why it’s so useful, and how you can start using it today to edit faster and more consistently.

Note: I work with the Windows operating system, so the instructions I’ve offered below align with that.

What is Quick Parts?

Quick Parts is a Microsoft Word tool that allows you to store reusable pieces of content – such as text, tables, headers and formatted paragraphs – and insert them into your document easily.

You can think of Quick Parts as a personal library of ready‑made content. Once you save something, you can reuse it across documents without retyping or copying and pasting.

This tool really comes into its own if:

you’re editing multiple documents with similar content
you’re editing large documents and are likely to repeat advice or guidance
or you work as part of a team that needs consistent wording.

Why Quick Parts makes editing more efficient

Using Quick Parts can significantly improve both your speed and accuracy when editing documents. Here’s how:

It saves you time by eliminating repetitive typing.
It improves consistency across documents.
It reduces errors caused by manual edits.
It keeps formatting intact every time you insert content.

Whether you’re editing novels, reports, proposals, policies or meeting notes, Quick Parts helps you focus on content quality rather than repetitive tasks.

Common editing tasks you can streamline with Quick Parts

Quick Parts is especially helpful for content you use frequently, such as:

standard paragraphs or disclaimers
frequently used phrases or sentences
brand‑approved wording
headers and footers
tables or formatted lists
reviewer comments or feedback text.

In a nutshell, if you’ve ever thought, I’ve typed this before, that’s a strong sign it belongs in Quick Parts.

How to create a Quick Part in Microsoft Word

Creating a Quick Part is simple and only takes a moment:

METHOD 1 (quickest)

Select the text, table or content you want to reuse.
Select Alt F3.
Give it a short, clear, descriptive name.
Click OK to save.

METHOD 2

Select the text, table or content you want to reuse.
Go to the Insert tab on the ribbon.
Click Quick Parts (in the Text group).
Select Save Selection to Quick Part Gallery.
Give it a short, clear, descriptive name.
Click OK to save.

You can also assign a category to your Quick Part snippet if you wish:

Whichever method you choose, your content is now stored and ready to use whenever you need it.

How to insert a Quick Part while editing

Once you’ve saved Quick Parts, inserting them is quick and easy:

METHOD 1 (quickest)

Place your cursor where you want the content to appear.
Type your short name.

METHOD 2

Place your cursor where you want the content to appear.
Go to Insert > Quick Parts.
Choose the item you want from the gallery.

Whichever method you use, the content is inserted instantly with all formatting preserved.

How to review or edit your Quick Parts

If you need to change the short name you’ve created, do the following:

Go to the Insert tab on the ribbon.
Click Quick Parts (in the Text group).
Select Building Blocks Organizer.

A new pane will appear:

To amend an item’s short name, select Edit Properties.
To delete an item, select Delete.

Tips for naming your Quick Parts

To get the most out of Quick Parts, use short, clear names that are easy to remember. Think also about how you can reduce the chance of the Quick Parts tool triggering an expansion inappropriately.

IN-PRACTICE EXAMPLE
I edit crime fiction, thrillers and mysteries, and when I'm using the Comments tool, I like to give my author clear indications of which particular element of the editing process I’m focusing on. I do this quickly by using headings that I've set up as Quick Parts. Underneath a heading, I can then explain the problem and suggested solution.

Plus, because the various headings in the comments are consistent, I can easily search for and review them by topic area. That helps me when I'm putting together a more comprehensive analysis in an editorial report.

And to avoid the risk of Quick Parts kicking in when I don't want it to, I add a ‘z’ to my short names. Here are four topic-based headings I've set up in the tool:

If I type ‘zshow’ in a document, it expands to ‘SHOWING VERSUS TELLING’.
If I type ‘zcons’ in a document, it expands to ‘CONSCIOUS LANGUAGE'.
If I type 'zsus' in a document, it expands to 'SUSPENSE AND DRAMA'.
If I type 'zchap' in a document, it expands to 'CHAPTER ENDINGS'.

Don't forget that you can save much larger blocks of formatted text into the Quick Parts too.

Quick Parts versus third-party text-expansion tools

You might already be familiar with third-party productivity tools such as TextExpander. These can really shine when you want to use the same snippets across multiple programs – for example, email, web browsers and other applications.

As always, it comes down to your budget, needs and preferences.

If you want something specifically for Word‑centric editing and formatting, consider the following:

Quick Parts is built directly into Word, so there’s no additional software to buy, install or manage.
It preserves complex formatting, tables and document‑specific styles.
For editors who spend most of their time in Word, Quick Parts can feel more seamless.

If a separate tool would offer you more rounded support and you have the budget for it, that’s fine. You might even decide to use both in your editorial practice.

Summing up

If you already edit extensively in Microsoft Word, the Quick Parts tool will help you reduce repetition, save time, maintain consistency and focus on what really matters: delivering clear, high‑quality content to your client.

And you won’t have to spend a penny more because it’s already part of Word!

About Louise Harnby

Louise Harnby is a line editor, copyeditor and proofreader who specializes in working with crime, mystery, suspense and thriller writers.

She is an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) and co-hosts The Editing Podcast.