Autotext keeps stopping - normal.dotm file seems to be the issue

This is very frustrating. I was on page 2 of a response when my browser quit. I will be back. I will write the response off-line and come back.

Here are a couple of resources:

• AutoText
• Backup Normal.dotm template using a macro
• Where can Building Blocks be stored?

I've been a Word user since about 1992 and a frequenter of and contributor to forums like this almost as long. The Normal Template has a history of having inexplicable things happen to it. These are often things done by Add-Ins that the user does not even know about, by Microsoft Updates, and by IT departments, but not always. You can back up the template, as you should all templates and important documents.

Early versions of Word came with a fair amount of AutoText built into it. The default storage location has always been the Normal Template. With the introduction of Word 2007, Microsoft tried to substitute Building Blocks, especially Quick Parts, for AutoText and ostensibly removed AutoText altogether. There was a huge user outcry over this and with Word 2010 AutoText was restored, although the built-in AutoText was not there (Building Blocks were to fulfill the same purpose).

The default storage location for AutoText remained the Normal template. The default storage location for other custom Building Blocks including Quick Parts, is the Building Blocks.dotx template. All Building Blocks, including Quick Parts and AutoText, must be stored in a template. However, in my opinion neither default storage location is the best location for storage.

See Where can Building Blocks be stored?

Sometimes AutoText and other Building Blocks are not for general use but rather intended for use within a particular Word template. In that case, they should be stored in that particular document template.

Most of the time, though, they are intended for use anytime you are using Word. When that is the situation, they should be stored in one or more custom Global Templates. Quick Parts stored in such templates work as if they were stored in the Normal Template. The AutoComplete feature that so many users love about AutoText is available for any Building Blocks stored in a global template. This is not true for Building Blocks stored in the Building Blocks.dotx file.

With Building Blocks stored in a global (or document) template you can also use the AutoText Field, the AutoTextList Field, and the Building Blocks Gallery Content Control.

One thing that is not easily used from a custom global template is custom styles. Styles are one of the keys to effective use of Word. With templates and long documents they are crucial. See The Importance of Styles in Microsoft Word. Microsoft provides a location for storing custom styles in [Quick] Style Sets. Here is my article on the Microsoft site about [Quick] Style Sets and Word Themes in Microsoft Word. However, these style sets are limited to those styles that you choose to display in the [Quick] Styles Gallery. It is possible, with the use of macros, to have A Global StyleSheet in Microsoft Word?

Again, all important documents and templates should regularly be backed up. Here is my article on the Microsoft site about how to easily back up the Normal template. Backup Normal.dotm template using a macro

My Downloads Page contains a number of free global templates that contain AutoText or other Building Blocks.

Resources:

• Normal Template
• AutoText
• Where can Building Blocks be stored?
• Templates in Microsoft Word
• Global Templates
• Word Startup Folder
• Building Blocks Gallery Content Control and AutoTextList Field Comparison and Demonstration
• Building Blocks & AutoText by Greg Maxey
• Backup Normal.dotm template using a macro
• Downloads Page
• Moving (Sharing) Customizations in Microsoft Word