Word 2013 - how do I save normal.dotm during a Word session

amz1950 · #1 04-15-2022, 04:32 PM

When I create autotext, Word 2013 automatically places it in the autotext gallery in normal.dotm. But I don't know how to save normal.dotm while in a Word session. It automatically saves it, it appears, when I close Word. But I don't close Word often so if it crashes, I lose all new autotext I've created. Can someone tell me how to save the normal.dotm when I'm in a Word session? Thank you very much.

Charles Kenyon · #2 04-16-2022, 06:27 AM

You can open it and save it.
How to Open the Normal Template in Any Desktop Version of Word (except Mac 2008)

amz1950 · #3 04-16-2022, 09:43 AM

Thank you. One thing I'm not clear of. The instructions there say that after opening it, make your changes and then save it. I assume that any changes I've already made before following these instructions (such as creating a new autotext) will also be saved. Is that right?

Charles Kenyon · #4 04-16-2022, 02:10 PM

That is correct. Otherwise here is a short macro that you could attach to a keyboard shortcut.

Code:

Sub NormalTemplateSave()
    ' Charles Kenyon
    ' 16 March 2022
    ' Save the Normal Template
    Application.ScreenUpdating = False
    Application.NormalTemplate.OpenAsDocument
    ActiveDocument.Saved = False
    ActiveDocument.Close SaveChanges:=True
    Application.ScreenUpdating = True
    MsgBox "The Normal template has been saved."
    Application.ScreenRefresh
End Sub

Guessed · #5 04-18-2022, 08:11 PM

Charles
That seems to be a lot of effort when the NormalTemplate is already open. Wouldn't a macro only need one line?

Code:

Application.NormalTemplate.Save

PS. On my machine the default for saving new Autotext entries is Building Blocks.dotx, not Normal.dotm

Charles Kenyon · #6 04-19-2022, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guessed

Charles
That seems to be a lot of effort when the NormalTemplate is already open. Wouldn't a macro only need one line?

Code:

Application.NormalTemplate.Save

PS. On my machine the default for saving new Autotext entries is Building Blocks.dotx, not Normal.dotm

Your code works if the Normal template thinks there has been some change. This is some times fiddled with by Add-Ins. My code makes sure that it knows it has not been saved. I am sure it can be improved upon, though.

The default save location for AutoText remains the Normal template.
00 deleteme 1.png

I tested this today in Word 2010, 2021, and 365. This was from Insert > Quick Parts > AutoText > Add Selection to AutoText Gallery and from Alt+F3. If you use Insert > Quick Parts > Add Selection to Quick Parts Gallery and then change the gallery in the dialog box, it also switches the template to the Normal template.

The default save location for other kinds of Building Blocks is Building Blocks.dotx.

I have been looking at this for more than ten years and saw the same thing in 2013, 2016 and 2019 which I no longer have installed.

Charles Kenyon · #7 04-19-2022, 10:55 AM

A better macro would probably be something along the lines of:

Code:

Sub NormalTemplateSave
  Application.NormalTemplate.Saved = False
  Application.NormalTemplate.Save
End Sub

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