A reversed "replace"

[Joel S. Berson]

 From an email list for book indexers:

"TIP: If you want to italicize the "n" you can search for "n" in the page
number field, put the index in page sort order, and hit replace (n for _n_)
until you get to the cross references."

The objective above is to have an italicized "n" (_n_) in the
index.  I would write "hit replace (n by _n_)".  A clear example
where misuse, imprecision, or misunderstanding (as you prefer) could
result in failure to meet specifications.

Joel

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