Back to your main question about disappearing macros...


The default location for storing recorded macros is in NewMacros module of the normal.dotm template. I suspect that is what you exported as text.
That is seldom the best location to keep macros you want to use regularly. It is in the nature of a temporary workbench.

See:

• Install/Employ VBA Procedures (Macros) by Greg Maxey
• Organizing your macros by Beth Melton, Word MVP
• How to Modify a Recorded Macro by Jay Freedman

Strange things seem to happen periodically to the Normal.dotm template. This has been true as long as Word has been around. You can make regular backups.

• Backup Normal.dotm template using a macro
• or keep your macros in other custom Global Templates
• or both. I do both because there are things stored in the Normal Template besides macros.

You may be able to find a recent version of your Normal.dotm template with your macros in your User Templates folder. It will have "normal" as part of the file name and a recent date.