Find and Replace Text in Word using C#

Introduction

Replacing text in Word documents is essential for document editing, automation, and content updates. This guide explains how to find and replace text in Word documents (DOCX, DOC) in C# using Aspose.Words for .NET.

Why Automate Text Replacement in Word?

  • Modify large Word documents quickly and efficiently.
  • Standardize content updates across multiple documents.
  • Use regex-based searching for advanced text pattern matching.

Table of Contents

  1. Setting Up Word Text Replacement in C#
  2. Finding and Replacing Text in Word
  3. Using Regex to Replace Text
  4. Replacing Text in Headers and Footers
  5. Batch Process Multiple Word Files
  6. Getting a Free API License
  7. Conclusion and Additional Resources

1. Setting Up Word Text Replacement in C#

To perform text replacement in Word documents, we use Aspose.Words for .NET. This library provides:

  • Automated text find-and-replace for DOCX, DOC, and other formats.
  • Support for regex-based replacements.
  • Efficient processing of large Word documents.

Installation

Install via NuGet:

PM> Install-Package Aspose.Words

Alternatively, download the DLL from the Aspose Downloads Page.

2. Finding and Replacing Text in Word

Follow these steps to replace text in a Word document programmatically:

  1. Load the Word file using the Document class.
  2. Define FindReplaceOptions for text replacement.
  3. Execute text replacement across the document.

Code Example

// Load the document
Document doc = new Document("input.docx");

// Create a Find and Replace options object
FindReplaceOptions options = new FindReplaceOptions();

// Perform the find and replace operation
doc.Range.Replace("old text", "new text", options);

// Save the modified document
doc.Save("output.docx");

This method automates text updates in Word files.

3. Using Regex to Replace Text

For pattern-based text replacement, use regular expressions:

FindReplaceOptions options = new FindReplaceOptions();
doc.Range.Replace(new Regex(@"Example"), "Updated Text", options);

This enables advanced text search-and-replace functionality.

4. Replacing Text in Headers and Footers

Modify headers and footers in Word documents:

foreach (Section section in doc.Sections)
{
    HeaderFooter header = section.HeadersFooters[HeaderFooterType.HeaderPrimary];
    if (header != null)
    {
        header.Range.Replace("Old Header", "New Header", options);
    }
}

This ensures content updates in all document sections.

5. Batch Process Multiple Word Files

To find and replace text across multiple Word documents, loop through a folder:

string[] files = Directory.GetFiles("input_docs", "*.docx");
foreach (string file in files)
{
    Document doc = new Document(file);
    doc.Range.Replace("Placeholder", "New Content", options);
    doc.Save(file);
}

This method automates bulk text updates.

6. Getting a Free API License

To unlock full Aspose.Words features, request a free temporary license.

For documentation, visit the Aspose.Words Guide or ask queries on the Aspose forum.

7. Conclusion and Additional Resources

Summary

This guide covered:

✅ How to find and replace text in Word using C#
✅ Using regex for advanced text replacement
✅ Modifying headers and footers dynamically
✅ Batch processing multiple Word files

With Aspose.Words for .NET, you can efficiently automate text manipulation in Word documents. Start enhancing document editing workflows today!