I've figured out how to create a text block for stationery heading to use in Word 2012 and I save it as directed in Quickparts. It works as long as Word remains open. When I close it and reopen, however, the autocorrect item has disappeared. Same is true for macros I've created; they work until Word is closed, then disappear. I suspect this has something to do with saving Normal.dotm, but I've determined that the autocorrect box is checked and I can't find anywhere to make Normal.dotm save changes. (The Ask before saving Normal.dotm is not checked as the directions say saving of changes will be automatic if it isn't checked.) What am I missing?

The problem of the Normal template not saving must be dealt with separately. You should troubleshoot for poorly designed add-ins; see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/921541/en-us/.

In the meantime, you can work around the issue by opening Normal as a document and creating the Quick Part directly in the template.

To open Normal.dotm as a template, do the following: From within Word, hold the Alt key as you press F11; in the Visual Basic Editor, press Ctrl+G to activate the Immediate window. Type

NormalTemplate.OpenAsDocument

and press Enter. Normal opens in a separate window (and you should now close the Visual Basic Editor). Make the desired changes, save and close the file.

__________________
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional

Thanks for replying.

The KB seems to apply to Windows XP. I'm running 7.

since the computer is new and I just installed Word 2010 last week, I don't think there could be any add-ins at all. This is my first attempt with 2010 at trying to create one.

I'm afraid I couldn't get Normal.dotm to open either. I really am not very experienced--yet.

The KB article applies to Word (no matter which operating system you're using), which is made clear in the title: "Troubleshoot problems that occur when you start or use Word 2010, 2007, or 2003."

Unfortunately, add-ins come from a variety of sources, so the fact that the installation is fresh doesn't make much difference.

What have you exactly tried to do? What happens when you try opening Normal as a document? Is there an error message?

__________________
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional

Alt-F11 then CTL-G. Immediate window opened. I copied in NormalTemplate.OpenAsDocument and hit Enter and nothing happened.

I will try the KB you suggested.

Note that you must have the insertion point at the end of the line

NormalTemplate.OpenAsDocument

when pressing Enter, otherwise it may not work. Also, note that the template will not be the active window, but you should see it, as an ordinary Word window, if you close the Visual Basic Editor. The title bar reads "Normal" (or "Normal.dotm" if you have Windows set to display filename extensions).

__________________
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional

You were right, of course. Normal.dotm was open already.

Does that mean I remake the autotext block on this page and save it the usual way except while on the normal.dotm page?

I think I got it to work, although the first time I tried I neglected to erase the text block before saving Normal.dotm which meant the text block came up on every blank document I opened. I fixed that too, however, by deleting the block before saving the Normal.dotm file.

Thanks for your help.

Query: Do I create Macros the same way (i.e., in Normal.dotm while it is open)?

Yes, that should work. When you are done, remember to save and close Normal.dotm.

__________________
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional

Many thanks!