Using import/export costomizations to ALL my documents

[Dr. Rick]

My goal is to have a set of macros and customizations (especially KEYBOARD customizations) that will be at hand for any documents I create. It seemed like the "Import/Export" button at the bottom right side of the "Customize the Ribbon" window (right click on tool bar) would be just the thing to accomplish this, but no matter how many times I "export" my customizations, when I load a different document, the key customizations (e.g. Alt-e to go to end of current line) aren't there. I'm obviously doing something wrong. Any ideas would be appreciated.

[Italophile]

Why do you think you need to export your customizations? The default customization context is Normal.dotm, which makes your shortcuts etc. available to all documents.

If you don’t want to store your shortcuts, etc. there, you will need to create another global template, stored in the folder that you have assigned as the Startup folder.

[Charles Kenyon]

Try putting these customizations in a Global Template.
Such a template can hold macros, keyboard shortcuts, QAT Buttons and Building Blocks should be together in one template. This makes the customizations very easily shared or moved.

The Normal template is the default storage location for recorded macros and keyboard shortcuts, but that is neither the only nor the best storage location.

Resources:

• Global Templates (Templates in Microsoft Word - one of the Tutorials in the Intermediate Users Guide to Microsoft Word)
• Startup Folder
• Assigning Keyboard Shortcuts in Microsoft Word 2007-2024 (365)
• Organizing your macros by Beth Melton, Word MVP
• Install/Employ VBA Procedures (Macros) by Greg Maxey
• Modifying the Quick Access Toolbar (QAT) in Microsoft Word
• Where can Building Blocks be stored?

You want your macros and any trigger for them (QAT Button / keyboard shortcut) stored in the same template. Likewise and Building Blocks and macros/keyboard shortcuts that use them. You can have multiple global templates, each essentially handing a single purpose.

Take a look at my free Add-Ins on my Downloads page for examples.

Add-Ins

I've been on Word help forums/newsgroups for more than 40 years. There are persistant questions about "What happend to my macros?" or "What happened to my Normal.dot[m]?" Things (bad things) seem to happen to that base template. If you are going to keep your customizations there, make backups!

Backup Normal.dotm template using a macro

The Import/Export button to which you refer is about Ribbon Customizations created using through the user interface. While this is important, it has nothing to do with macros.
Further, it is a blunt instrument.
See Customize the Office Ribbon (It doesn't take rocket science) by Greg Maxey


Building Blocks are a key helper in Word. Do not ignore them. The default storage location for these (other than Autotext) is a separate template from the Normal.dotm template: Building Blocks.dotx. I would argue for placing these in a different Global template as well.

Resources:

• Moving (Sharing) Customizations in Microsoft Word
• Word 2007 & Later Key Data File Locations

[Dr. Rick]

{The rambling and confused nature of this post simply reflects that mental state of the author, who would not be surprised if no one responded at all. You are pre-pardoned.}

Originally Posted by Italophile

Why do you think you need to export your customizations? The default customization context is Normal.dotm, which makes your shortcuts etc. available to all documents.

If you don’t want to store your shortcuts, etc. there, you will need to create another global template, stored in the folder that you have assigned as the Startup folder.

I think I've actually done this.
I don't even think I know what "export your customizations" even means. What I thought it meant was "export your customizations to a file so you can import them back when you need them." I guess this is NOT the case.


The default customization context is Normal.dotm, which makes your shortcuts etc. available to all documents.

For me this just doesn't work. Repeatedly (tens, maybe hundreds of times) when "something" happens (usually quitting a document and reloading it again) all my macros and customizations are gone. Someone on this forum (C. Kenyon, I think) suggested trying a different global template in the startup folder. I actually did this, and ever since, a blank file gets created and opened in Word 2013 (which is also installed on this machine where I'm using Word 365 almost exclusively. Maybe this is part of the problem??? I was surprised to find that Windows and Word both have "startup" folders. Maybe I have two Word startup folders, one for Word2013 and one for 365? It did seem to cure the "macros getting lost" problem, however).


It can't be good to run two different versions of Word on the same machine for no goo reason, can it? I'm frankly not even sure how I started using W365 anyway. What I'd really prefer would have been to continue using Word2003 (ha ha, funny but true)



Maybe I'll take nap.




Just an observation: Sometimes the replies on the forum are analogous to someone asking how to set the clock on the dashboard of their car and being given the whole "service manual" on how to take the car apart and put it back together. THIS IS NOT a COMPLAINT, but I just need some very specific and simple answers to very small issues. I do realize that I may not know what "small" in this case means.

[Charles Kenyon]

You can install and use Word 2003 on your computer. I have it on mine.

Again, the Import/Export button on the Customize the Ribbon dialog is about ribbon customizations, only.

Maybe I have two Word startup folders, one for Word2013 and one for 365? It did seem to cure the "macros getting lost" problem, however).

You quite conceivably could have separate Word Startup folders for two different versions of Word on the same computer. (Likely different Office Startup Folders for different Office versions as well. Do not put anything in the Office Startup folder(s), though.)

Placing a global template in Word's Startup Folder will not cause a document to open unless there is a macro in that template to do that.

If you have both Word 2013 and 365 on your computer, I would suggest separate user templates folders for each. They could both use the same folder set to save Custom Office Templates, though. You could use the same Startup Folder or different ones depending on what modifications you want to share.


I am sorry that it comes across so complicated. Once you dig into it, Word is not simple. A nap sounds like a good idea for me, too.

[Dr. Rick]

This is specifically meant for Charles Kenyon, but anyone's answer would be welcome


Your (CK's) reply in red:
The default is to save shortcuts in your Normal Template.
My preference is to store them (and many other customizations including macros) in one or more separate Global Templates.\


I don't want to store anything in Normal. It seems to get corrupted on a regular basis, probably some fault of mine, no doubt. I don't know how to "STORE them (and many other custimizations inclduing macros) in one or more separate Global Templates"
It's the STORAGE operation that I don't get (can't do, don't know how to do)
I already have a separate global template called rixtemplate.dotm. In order to store customizations in rixtemplate.dotm, do I simply LoAD the file into Word and then "do something" to attach my macros and customizations to that template?" My macros already seem to be in that file but my customizations (e.g. Alt-e to move cursor to end of line, and many others, etc.) are apparently not. I seem to be getting further and further into the weeds with this.


another way of putting this: I want to take all the macros and custimization of keys that current work great in my journal file and attach/deposit/weld them onto other files on which I am working too. How do I do this??

[Charles Kenyon]

For anything (except Building Blocks) to store something in a Global Template, you need to open the template for editing. You can find it in your Startup Folder and right-click to choose Open, or you can use File > Open within Word.

When the template is open for editing, you will be given that as a potential location for storage. Generally there is a drop-down for storage locations. This includes QAT modifications.

For AutoText and other Building Blocks, any Global Template that already contains at least one Building Block will be available as a storage location when you create a new Building Block.

• Where can Building Blocks be stored?
• Building Blocks Organizer

As far as moving currently saved customizations...
Moving (Sharing) Customizations in Microsoft Word

Macros you can copy and paste in the Visual Basic Editor or you can use the Organizer. Keyboard shortcuts should be stored in the same file that contains the macro or Building Block. Chris Woodman's Keyboard Shortcut Organizer

[Dr. Rick]

When the template is open for editing, you will be given that as a potential location for storage. Generally there is a drop-down for storage locations. This includes QAT modifications.

First, does "that" above refer to my template that is open for editing? If so, I don't see any "drop-down for storage locations" Can you tell me what such a drop down would look like or where I should find it?
Of if not, to what does "that" refer?
Thanks.
R.

[Charles Kenyon]

It refers to the template that is both open for editing and the active document. I.e., if it is open but you are in a different document, it does not count.

What are you trying to add? QAT, Building Blocks/AutoText, Macros, Building Blocks? When you are trying to save these you are in a dialog box that generally has a dropdown.

Microsoft uses different terms in the dialogs for the storage location but it is not that tough.


You are welcome to share a screenshot showing what you are (not) seeing when you are trying to save if you want. How to attach a screenshot in this forum.

Here is a link to a handout I prepared for a talk I'm giving next week.
My list of links on QAT and Ribbon Modification