In Microsoft Word, what is the Spike, and how do I use it?

The Spike is an extended Clipboard feature of Microsoft Word. It allows you to remove two or more items (such as text or graphics) from nonadjacent locations in a Word document, and then insert the items as a group in a new location or document. The items remain in the Spike so you can insert them repeatedly. To add a different set of items to the Spike, you must first empty the Spike's contents.

Moving items to and from the Spike

1. Select the text or graphic you want to move, and then press Ctrl-F3 (in Windows) or Cmd-F3 (on a Mac).
   
   
2. Repeat this step for each additional item you want to move to the Spike.
   
   
3. Click in the document where you want to insert the Spike's contents.
   
   
4. To insert the Spike's contents and empty the Spike, press Ctrl-Shift-F3 (in Windows) or Cmd-Shift-F3 (on a Mac).

Viewing the Spike's contents without inserting or emptying it

• Word 2007:
  
  
  1. On the Insert tab, choose Quick Parts and then select Building Blocks Organizer... .
  2. In the "Building Blocks:" list, select Spike. Word displays all or a portion of the Spike's contents in the "Preview" box.
  
  
• Word 2003, 2004, 2008, and earlier:
  
  
  1. From the Insert menu, choose AutoText and then AutoText... .
  2. In the "Enter AutoText entries here:" box, enter Spike . Word displays all or a portion of the Spike's contents in the "Preview" box.

Inserting the Spike's contents without emptying it

• Word 2007:
  
  
  1. On the Insert tab, choose Quick Parts and then select Building Blocks Organizer... .
  2. In the "Building Blocks:" list, select Spike and click Insert.
  
  
• Word 2003, 2004, 2008, and earlier:
  
  
  1. From the Insert menu, choose AutoText and then AutoText... .
  2. In the "Enter AutoText entries here:" box, type Spike and click Insert.

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