Speedy Reader in Microsoft Word

In busy, text heavy Microsoft 365 documents, even confident readers can lose their place – especially when they’re working quickly, are tired, or facing dense blocks of text. This is a common challenge for neurodivergent users (including ADHD, dyslexia and autism), and it can also affect anyone experiencing attention fatigue or visual stress.

To reduce visual effort and make lines easier to track, the AptoLink Assistive Technology Training Team has created a simple, practical macro that applies “bold-leading” formatting. It’s designed to help people keep momentum when reading and reviewing documents, without changing the meaning of the text or forcing a new way of working.

This macro enhances on-screen readability by bolding the first few letters of each word — a technique known to help guide the eye more efficiently through text.

• Neurodivergent users (ADHD, dyslexia, autism)
• Readers with attention fatigue or visual stress
• Writers and proofreaders who need to maintain focus during long sessions

This macro allows you to toggle the formatting on or off with a single action.

• ✅ Apply supportive bold formatting
• ❌ Remove formatting to restore original text
• 🎯 Add a clickable Ribbon button for easy access

1. Open Microsoft Word and press Alt + F11 to open the VBA Editor
2. Insert a new module via Insert > Module
3. Paste the macro below into the new module
4. Press Alt + Q to close the editor
5. Select any text in your document
6. Press Alt + F8, choose ToggleSpeedyReader, and click Run
7. Choose Yes to apply formatting, No to remove it

You can make Speedy Reader easier to access by adding it to your Ribbon — for example, to your custom Access Tools tab.

1. Go to File → Options → Customize Ribbon
2. Select your Access Tools tab (or create a new one)
3. Click New Group, then rename it
4. From the left dropdown, choose Macros
5. Drag Project.Module1.ToggleSpeedyReader into your new group
6. Click Rename to name it Speedy Reader and assign an icon
7. Click OK — the macro is now available as a button

Sub ToggleSpeedyReader()
    Dim applyFormatting As VbMsgBoxResult
    Dim para As Paragraph
    Dim wrd As Range
    Dim firstPartLength As Integer
    Dim totalLength As Integer
    Dim boldRange As Range

    applyFormatting = MsgBox(“Do you want to APPLY the Speedy Reader formatting?” & vbCrLf & _
                            “Choose No to REMOVE formatting.”, vbYesNoCancel + vbQuestion, “Speedy Reader Toggle”)
    If applyFormatting = vbCancel Then Exit Sub

    Application.ScreenUpdating = False

    For Each para In ActiveDocument.Paragraphs
        For Each wrd In para.Range.Words
            totalLength = Len(Trim(wrd.Text))
            If totalLength > 1 And InStr(wrd.Text, vbCr) = 0 Then
                If totalLength <= 3 Then
                    firstPartLength = 1
                ElseIf totalLength <= 6 Then
                    firstPartLength = 2
                ElseIf totalLength <= 9 Then
                    firstPartLength = 3
                Else
                    firstPartLength = 4
                End If

                Set boldRange = wrd.Duplicate
                boldRange.End = boldRange.Start + firstPartLength

                If applyFormatting = vbYes Then
                    boldRange.Font.Bold = True
                ElseIf applyFormatting = vbNo Then
                    boldRange.Font.Bold = False
                End If
            End If
        Next wrd
    Next para

    Application.ScreenUpdating = True

    If applyFormatting = vbYes Then
        MsgBox “Speedy Reader formatting applied!”, vbInformation
    Else
        MsgBox “Speedy Reader formatting removed.”, vbInformation
    End If
End Sub

Download resources:

• Download PDF Version of This Guide
• Download the VBA Code as a .bas file

• Save this macro in your Normal.dotm template to keep it always available
• Assign a keyboard shortcut (e.g., Alt+Shift+B) for faster access
• Works well for documents, emails, academic writing, and web content revi

Created by the Aptolink Assistive Technology Training Team — empowering productivity and inclusion through smart tools.