Readability stats ...

[Sharon M.]

Hi all,

Is there a real quick and easy way to run Readability stats *without* having
to stop at each instance and accept/reject? What I want to do is get an
*instant* assessment of a document "as is" and then look at the suggestions
for improvement later.

I've looked through earlier threads on this and, while I agree with the
usefulness of running the stats (or otherwise), I really need to do it.

Thanks,

Sharon M.

 

[Herb Tyson [MVP]]

You'd need a macro--you can assign it to a keystroke or toolbar tool, or
stick it in a menu. Here's a quick & dirty one that does it, albeit not in
the identical format at the one that's build in:

Sub Readability()
Words$ = ActiveDocument.Content.ReadabilityStatistics(1).Value
Chars$ = ActiveDocument.Content.ReadabilityStatistics(2).Value
Paras$ = ActiveDocument.Content.ReadabilityStatistics(3).Value
Sents$ = ActiveDocument.Content.ReadabilityStatistics(4).Value
SperP$ = ActiveDocument.Content.ReadabilityStatistics(5).Value
WperP$ = ActiveDocument.Content.ReadabilityStatistics(6).Value
CperW$ = ActiveDocument.Content.ReadabilityStatistics(7).Value
Passv$ = ActiveDocument.Content.ReadabilityStatistics(8).Value
Flesch$ = ActiveDocument.Content.ReadabilityStatistics(9).Value
FleKi$ = ActiveDocument.Content.ReadabilityStatistics(10).Value
MsgBox Words$ + " Words" + Chr$(13) + Chr$(10) + _
Paras$ + " Paragraphs" + Chr$(13) + Chr$(10) + _
Sents$ + " Sentences" + Chr$(13) + Chr$(10) + _
SperP$ + " Sentences per Paragraph" + Chr$(13) + Chr$(10) + _
WperP$ + " Words per Sentence" + Chr$(13) + Chr$(10) + _
CperW$ + " Characters per Word" + Chr$(13) + Chr$(10) + _
Passv$ + " Passive Sentences" + Chr$(13) + Chr$(10) + _
Flesch$ + " Flesch Reading Ease" + Chr$(13) + Chr$(10) + _
FleKi$ + " Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level"
End Sub

 

[Sharon M.]

Thanks Herb,

I'm looking for something really basic as I have to pass on the instructions
to content developers (of varying skills) who are scattered in various
locations. Some of them will freak out when I say "macro". Any tips and
tricks up your sleeve for something built in to Word? I guess not ...

Best, Sharon.

 

[Herb Tyson [MVP]]

If there's a built-in way to trigger just the readability stats, I haven't
managed to trip over it yet. You could say "Well, you could use a full scale
Visual Basic for Applications program or, if that's too much, maybe just a
simple macro".

When sleight of hand doesn't work, try sleight of tongue. ;-)

 

[Sharon M.]

Ha! Good tip. ;-)

Guess if you haven't found a back door then there isn't one.

I'm so *sure* there used to be ... having cast my mind back a little though
I think it was probably a feature of WordPerfect ... you clicked a button,
you got the stats (along with an assessment of the (probable) education level
of the writer) and everything was just dandy.

S.