Dynamic page breaks depending on text position

[fpritt24]

So I have a Word 2013 document that I am adding a good amount of text to in the format of

----------
*5-6 lines of assorted text
----------

I am using the dashes as a simple deliminator to help differ between sections of text. For the best readability, I would like to have sections of text on one page and not break over pages. Something like

'Find position of first ----------
'Find position of next ----------
If positionOfNext is on another page Then
     Insert page Break before first -----------
End If
Loop

Is something like this possible to do? I have some experience with VBA in excel, but have never dabbled into VBA in word.

[macropod]

If your '5-6 lines of assorted text' is all one paragraph, simply apply the 'keep together' paragraph attribute to it; otherwise apply the 'keep with next' paragraph attribute to all except the last paragraph. If you want to keep the first paragraph of ------ with the text that follows, apply the 'keep with next' paragraph attribute to that as well.

Word will take care of the pagination automatically.

[fpritt24]

If your '5-6 lines of assorted text' is all one paragraph, simply apply the 'keep together' paragraph attribute to it; otherwise apply the 'keep with next' paragraph attribute to all except the last paragraph. If you want to keep the first paragraph of ------ with the text that follows, apply the 'keep with next' paragraph attribute to that as well.

Word will take care of the pagination automatically.

It is a few different lines of text because I have different styles applied to lines within it. I know of the keep together and keep with next, but when I have hundreds of these across a few documents, it would be tedious to apply these principles to each one. I want a way for word to automatically and dynamically apply the principles as more information gets added to the sheets.

[macropod]

You can apply those attributes to the Styles concerned. That way, it's automatic.

[fpritt24]

You can apply those attributes to the Styles concerned. That way, it's automatic.

This still does not help nor answer the original question.

Most of the text, including the ---------- as deliminators are in the "normal" style while 1-2 lines within each comment block are in a "comment" style. I would have to manually go through and change all text to be in special styles to apply the keep with next, which is something tedious and not automatic and dynamic.

My original question was asking if it is possible to parse through the document, find a "----------" block of characters, mark the vertical line that it is on, and then parse until the next one is found. Then depending on if the second is on another page or not, add a page break in. I am somewhat familiar with vba functions in Excel, but have never applied them, or this concept, to Word. I can search the libraries available to find the functions myself, I just didn't want to waste money at work searching for something that isn't possible.

[macropod]

Well, you did say:

I have different styles applied to lines within it.

The solution is to use Word's Styles properly instead of trying to coerce the Normal Style to do whatever you fancy. Like it or not, that is the best way to answer to your question.

The approach you've outlined is unreliable, since any edits after running the macro are liable to mess up the formatting. Moreover, what you're asking will increase the likelihood of document corruption.

[fpritt24]

that is the best way to answer to your question.
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Its really not.

[macropod]

Well, since you know so much, I'll leave it to your expertise...