Best way to insert inches symbol

[DigitalChickster]

Hi all! I'm using Adobe Indesign v 16.0.2 on my iMac. I have a report that comes to me in an Excel file. It has a lot of inch marks in it. When I copy and paste, those show up as quotation marks. 

I've tried doing a find/replace... and this doesn't work. 

I've also just tried copying an inchmark after I create it (control + shift + quotation mark)... but that doesn't work. When I paste, it shows up as a quotation mark... even though I copied the inch mark. 

Is there any easier way to go in and change all of these? I'm spending so much time doing the control + shift + quotation mark thing over and over... 

Thanks! 

[Jeffrey_Smith]

Here is a typography article that explains the various marks.

If you choose copying the curly quotation mark, in Preferences > Type > Turn off: "Use Typographer's Quotes" before pasting to achieve non-curly appearance.

Note: changing the Quotes pref does not change existing text. You can change the pref, then do a find and replace, and this will change the marks.

[Barb Binder · Accepted solution]

Hi @DigitalChickster 

Try this, which will change a curly quote after a number to an inch mark, but will leave the quotes after words alone. 

GREP tab

Find: (\d+)~}

Change: $1~"

~Barb

[DigitalChickster]

YES! That did the trick! You are a rockstar. Thank you so much!!!!!

[Barb Binder]

Terrific. We are always happy to help. 

~Barb