Placeholder text in Word

The three sample text functions

Microsoft's current help page documents two functions. Type one at the start of an empty paragraph, then press Enter:

• =lorem() inserts pseudo-Latin lorem ipsum. It starts "Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit" and is the same in every language version of Word.
• =rand() inserts readable sample text in your Word's language. In English it's a few paragraphs about Word's own features, such as online video, themes and cover pages.

An older Microsoft article (for Word 2007 and 2010) also lists =rand.old(), which repeats "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog", the sample text of Word 2003 and earlier.

Choose how much text you get

Both =lorem() and =rand() take two optional numbers: paragraphs, then lines per paragraph.

=lorem(p,l)
=rand(p,l)

• =lorem() with no numbers gives 3 paragraphs of 3 lines.
• =lorem(1) gives one paragraph.
• =rand(10,10) gives 10 paragraphs of 10 lines each.

Microsoft calls the second number "lines". In practice, each one is a sentence, so a paragraph of 3 "lines" may wrap onto more lines on the page.

If =lorem() does nothing

Microsoft says the sample text feature is on by default, but it stops working when Replace text as you type is off. To turn it back on:

1. Go to File > Options > Proofing.
2. Select AutoCorrect Options.
3. Tick Replace text as you type and select OK.

The function also has to be the only thing in its paragraph. Type it at the start of an empty line and press Enter straight after the closing bracket.

Get lorem ipsum without Word

Word's lorem ipsum is always the same few sentences. If you want random text, a set number of words, list items or HTML, make it below and paste it into your document.

When you paste into Word, choose Keep Text Only from the paste options so the text takes on your document's styles.

"Placeholder text" in Word forms and templates

Word also uses "placeholder text" for something else: the grey prompt inside a content control, such as "Click or tap here to enter text." It shows until someone types into the field, and it's how many Word templates and forms tell you what goes where. Microsoft's developer documentation describes content controls being reset to their placeholder text, for example when a repeating section adds a new item.

To change that prompt, turn on Design Mode on the Developer tab, click the content control and type your own wording. Turn Design Mode off again when you're done.

Google Docs

Microsoft's =lorem() and =rand() are Word features, so typing them in Google Docs only gives you the text you typed. Make the text with the generator on this page, copy it, and paste it into your document with Edit > Paste without formatting so it takes on your styles.

Before you share the document

Lorem ipsum is easy to miss when you've read a draft many times. Use Find (Ctrl+F) to search for "lorem" and "ipsum" before you send or print anything.