Microsoft Word: Character Count with Spaces

How do you do a character count AND count the spaces?  I’m the online host for my church’s live streaming service on Sundays.  I post links and comments on YouTube, BUT those comments and links can only be 200 characters including spaces and returns.  How do I check it before I post or copy & paste from my script?

In Microsoft Word, it’s very easy. At the bottom left of any Word window, you’ll always see a Word count for your entire document.  That’s for those students trying to type a 500-word essay, right?

Now, highlight your specific words where you need a character count.  The word count changes to reflect the number of words in your highlighted range out of the entire document, “34 of 144 words.” 

Now, click on that word count.  A little pop-up appears.  Hmmm… I’m at 198.  That will just fit.  Now I’ll copy & paste into YouTube! If yours doesn’t fit, keep editing, highlight the range, and check again.

For Google Docs instructions, click here: https://helpfulofficetips.com/2026/05/30/google-docs-character-count-with-spaces/