Microsoft Office Forums - View Single Post - Macros keep disappearing, along with keyboard shortcuts

Charles Kenyon · 10-13-2024, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Rick

Thanks to everyone who responded, but I'm still somewhat lost. Most of the recommended readings seem far over my head. Maybe I can focus more clearly on exactly the result I want, someone can tell me precisely what to do in order to get there.
Goals:

1. I want all my recorded macros to be available to me for all documents I might create on word.
2. I want all my keyboard customizations (KC's) for the macros to be available as well.

I need some detailed instructions on how to accomplish this seemingly simple (to me, at least) mission. Someone told me that tech people (and they were actually referring to ME, ha-ha) often leave out steps that novices wouldn't think of doing. I need small steps, as in a recipe. And yes, I know there are usually 5 or 6 ways to accomplish the same thing in situations like this. I just want one, and the simplest.

For example, something like this:

1. fashion a file with all your macros and key customizations and no text
2. Save it as a .dotm file in a certain directory
3. Tell Word in some way that you want it to do vis-a-vis this template
etc.

I'm not desperate. There's no dire consequences if I don't succeed. I can keep reloading my VBA file of macros, and reassigning keys manually over and over. Nothing I'm doing is important to national security, or nuclear .codes or the like. I'm just trying to make my journaling a bit easier. Thanks in advance for any help.

fashion a file with all your macros and key customizations and no text
(it actually can have text, you can also use it to save building blocks once you have saved it as a .dotm file)
Make sure that the macros and keyboard shortcuts are saved in that file.
Save it as a .dotm file in a certain directory
That directory is the one designated as your Word Startup Folder. That folder should be different from your User Templates Folder.
See Startup Folder and User Templates
Tell Word in some way that you want it to do vis-a-vis this template
By placing it in the Startup Folder you have told Word that you want all of your files to have access to the macros, keyboard shortcuts, QAT modifications, and building blocks stored is the folder. You have made it a Global Template.

Note that to record new macros in that file, you will need to either open it for editing or create a document based on it. Likewise to add keyboard shortcuts or QAT modifications to it.

You may want to move it out of the Startup Folder and close and restart Word first. Then when you are done making changes, move it back there.