I have a document with a .docm template file attached. (I can't use a .docx template file because I need a template file that includes macros which can only be saved in a .docm file. Also, I don't want to save the Quick Parts in the Normal.dot or the default Building Blocks file, because I am using this in connection with Dropbox and want to be able to open this document with the attached template anywhere.)



If I add a Quick Part entry in my document and specify it to be saved in the .docm template, it works while the document is open. When I save the file, a message comes up asking if I want to save the building block entries, to which I say Yes. However, when I close and reopen the document, the Quick Part entries are obliterated, gone, not there.

If I attach a .docx template and do the same thing, the Quick Part entries stick.

Any way to make the Quick Parts save in the .docm template?
Thanks.

A .docm file is a macro-enabled document, not a template. Quickparts must be saved in a template.
The file type would be
.dotx, or
.dotm (macro-enabled)
or for AutoText .dot

Templates in Microsoft Word
Automated Boilerplate Using Microsoft Word

Thanks for the quick reply.

Although .dotm files are not templates, they can be (and I have) attached them as a template to my main document. Unfortunately, in that capacity, as you have remarked they cannot store the quickparts.

That's unfortunate for me, since I would like the quickparts to be available whenever I open the document from Dropbox, in addition to the numerous macros I have in the .dotm file.

Unless there were a way to move the Building Blocks.dotx to the same directory (Dropbox) as the main document, but I suppose that is not possible. Or, if there were a way to attach multiple templates to the main document, but I'm pretty sure that's not possible either.

Theoretically, this is a problem. However, I can live with the limitation rather than put someone or myself through a lot of contortions to make it work.

Thanks again!

Templates - .dot
.dotm files are templates - macro-enabled
.dotx files are templates and cannot hold macros
.dot files are legacy template files that can hold macros
All three of these file types can hold AutoText. The first two can hold other kinds of Building Blocks as well.

Documents - .doc
.docm files are documents - macro-enabled
.docx files are documents - not able to hold macros
.doc files are legacy documents that can hold macros
None of these file types can hold AutoText or Building Blocks.

You cannot change a document into a template by simply changing the filename extension in Windows. You can change a document into a template by using the SaveAs command within Word under the File menu.

All files of the document type must be attached to a template - normal.dotm or normal.dot by default. AutoText and other Building Blocks can be stored in the attached template.

The terminology can be tricky but is important.

Template is a term of art in Word. It does not mean a sample document or form, although it can be that. It means a file that Word has designated as a template. The default action for a template that you double-click from Windows is to create a new Word document based on the template. The default action in Windows when you double-click on a document is to open the document for editing. Templates in Microsoft Word - read this!

Autotext and other Building Blocks are things that MS has chosen to put on a QuickParts menu along with Fields and Document Properties (which can be in documents). Automated Boilerplate Using Microsoft Word , Using Fields in Microsoft Word.

Any .dotm file created by Word is a Word template, by definition.

Macros will not be available from Dropbox unless you have no macro security at all. Word will only run macros that are in a document or template that is in some way trusted by the Trust Center. Macros and Building Blocks are often stored in a single template. Building Blocks, though can be stored in .dotx files as well as .dotm files. You do not need your .dotx files to be "trusted" to use building blocks they contain.

No contortions should be needed.

Both macros and building blocks can be stored in templates. Those templates can be attached to a document (often the source of the document's formatting) or can be global - available to any document. Again, I urge you to read Templates in Microsoft Word. I can't repeat it all here.

OK, I am subdued and educated.

I just loaded my .docm document, did a Save As to make it a .dotm template, and now it stores both macros and quickparts. I'm happy.

I misstated when I said "Although .dotm files are not templates, they can be (and I have) attached them as a template to my main document."

I meant to say .docm files can be attached to another document. Here's a snapshot of what used to show when I went into Options, Add-Ins, Manage, Templates, Go:




I was able to attach the .docm file after choosing "Attach" by selecting "All Word Files" instead of "All Word Templates." Thanks to your education, I realize I didn't need to do that, but use an equivalent .dotm file instead. But as you see above, the .docm is quasi-considered a template. In this mode, the macros work fine, but the quickparts do not save.

As regarding security, I have the document and template (.dotm) both in the Dropbox folder and they work fine. I am asked when loading the document to enable macros, and then it works fine. Should my security be tighter, and if so, how do I manage that?

In the meantime, BOTTOM LINE, you solved my problem. Many Thanks!!!

You are welcome.

If your local dropbox folder is listed as a trusted location, it should not be a problem. I don't know that I would ever want a web location trusted. That you are asked to enable tells me there is more than minimal security in action.

Never had anyone try to attach a document using that dialog. I just verified that it can be done in my version of Word 2010. I will probably play with it and see if it does that in Word 2003 and 2007 as well. I may have to add some things to my Templates page.

If these are AutoTexts used in multiple documents, consider loading the template as a global.