Find/Change 1 000 to 1,000

[C***@adobeforums.com]

Hi,

I have a huge financial document with 1,000s delimted with a space 1 000 for example. I know this is a 3 stage process but I need some tips to help me as I can't just find/change all as it would affect other things that should be changed

So far I have found both
^9^s^9^9^9
^9 ^9^9^9
mostly the second. Are there any other combinations I need to check? It will take too long to check every page by eye and I saw that it hopped over a few while I was testing.

When I have the Find/Change window open is there a shortcut key for the Change/Find button?

Thanks CP

[M***@adobeforums.com]

First question would be do you have IDCS3? I don't have it myself, but it supports GREP find/change so your options would be increased.

Next question are all the affected numbers in tabbed columns? If you have a mix of columned numbers and numbers in text and numbers in dates and such, then you indeed have a problem. If everything is meticulously styled you may be able to make use of that.

If you have CS3, you could probably search "anynumber""anyspace""anynumber" and replace it with "anynumber""comma""anynumber". (Assuming find/change works as I assume it will in CS3, and assuming anyspace doesn't include tabs.)

I would suggest trying a test on a copy of the file first. Try changing the spaces to big red bullets. Then you can quickly see where your logic breaks down. You could even print out that file so that you know where to check for screw-ups.

And one last thing, I assume you will have some numbers like 1,15 % that will need to be changed to 1.15%. Better change them first, eh.

Good luck. It's harder to go from space to comma than it is the other way around.

[G***@adobeforums.com]

1.000,00 is the german way (possibly others) of writing it.

[Scott Falkner]

If using version 3 or 4 of InDesign:

* Create a new Character Style. Don't give it any attributes.

* Search for ^9 ^9^9^9. Don't enter any Change text, but click on More, then set the Change To format to use the new character style you just made
* Change All.
* Do a new Search. Search for a space and replace with a comma. Set the Find format to use the new character style.
* Change All.
* Delete the character style.