Auto correct will not save

[shewoman]

I have Word 2007. I know how to create and use auto correct function. But when i exit Word and re enter later all my auto correct entries are gone. If i creat them and stay in Word i am ok. Why do they not stay permanently. I have watched tutorials and read many forums. I am doing everything correct.

[Charles Kenyon]

If they are formatted entries, they would be stored in the normal.dotm template. There may be something blocking the saving of changes to that template. See Add-Ins in Microsoft Word.

If not formatted, these are language-specific files. See Automated Boilerplate Using Microsoft Word

[shewoman]

Mr. Charles Kenyon: I am in receipt of your reply to my post about my
auto correction additions not being permanent after I leave word. I am running Word 2007, with Windows 10. I have tried all the tips you gave me, cannot get my changes to stick. I am a paralegal and use auto correct to type in repetitive phrases in pleadings. Once I exit the document and Word, all of the ones I create are gone. After much work, I have located the normal template, but do not see where to make any changes. Something is blocking my ability to save these auto corrections. I have followed your instructions, tried to change normal.doc, found it, but cannot change it nor am I asked to accept changes to "global template" like before.

I have hit a brick wall and would appreciate any instructions, step by step, (treat me like I am a 2 year old as I am not computer literate) just to get this auto correct to stick permanently.

[Charles Kenyon]

Originally Posted by shewoman

***
I am a paralegal and use autocorrect to type in repetitive phrases in pleadings. ***

First, consider using AutoText, stored in a pleading template or in a Global Template instead of AutoCorrect. You will need to use the F3 key to insert AutoText in Word 2007. Read my article on boilerplate as well as the one on templates. As a paralegal you need all of that information and you will recover the time you spend reading them in a very short time.

Originally Posted by shewoman

*** Once I exit the document and Word, all of the ones I create are gone. *** Something is blocking my ability to save these auto corrections.***

There are two kinds of AutoCorrect entries. One is formatted, the other unformatted. These types are stored in different places. It is essential that you know which type is involved to try and figure out the source of your problem.

There is a difference between exiting the document and exiting Word. Is the AutoCorrect available in another document in the same Word session?

Originally Posted by shewoman

***. I have followed your instructions, tried to change normal.doc, found it, but cannot change it nor am I asked to accept changes to "global template" like before.

I have hit a brick wall and would appreciate any instructions, step by step, (treat me like I am a 2 year old as I am not computer literate) just to get this auto correct to stick permanently.

No version of Word uses any template called normal.doc. Word 2007 uses normal.dotm as its underlying template. Even if these are formatted entries and to be saved in the normal.dotm template there should not be any need for you to directly access that template. Word knows to put them there.

The option about a prompt before saving changes to the template is found in Word Options. It should always be checked. If changes to that template are being blocked, the responsible party is almost always a poorly-written Add-In. Add-Ins in Microsoft Word

Until I know which kind of AC entry we are discussing there is no way for me to give you step-by-step instruction.

[Charles Kenyon]

Word is a very complex program hiding under a relatively simple shell. While that shell is what enables new users to start using the program right away, it makes it much harder to figure out what is really happening.

I recommend that when you can take the time, you spend some time learning Word, really learning Word, not just what they teach in paralegal training, at least around here.

Good starting places are:

• Basic Formatting in Microsoft Word
• Understanding Styles in Microsoft Word
• and Basic Concepts of Microsoft Word - from Shauna Kelly

The first two links, and accompanying chapters, are based on Microsoft's "Legal Users Guide" greatly expanded.

I do not intend to knock the training given to paralegals. There is a lot to cover and if use Word is covered at all, it is only collaterally covered. I do not understand all of Word and I have been working with it for more than 20 years. I do not believe that the people at Microsoft who write the program understand it all; it is very complex.