Forum Discussion
Macros don't work in Word 365
Unable to create a macro. Live agent support was useless. She did a repair on 365 with no changes. Macros are enabled. I follow the instructions for creating a macro, something I've done a million times on standalone copies of MS Word but now with 365, first time subscriber, this function simply is ignored when I type into the keyboard shortcut, nothing happens. Does not recognize anything after I create a name for the macro. Using Record Macro option takes me to a basic programming page?? what is happening?
More information is needed. See How to write a quality question on Microsoft Q&A | Microsoft Learn and Basics: Getting help - best practices
A couple of pieces of information that come to mind are:
- Your Operating System
- Storage location for the macros (The NewMacros module in the Normal template is the default storage location for recorded macros.)
- Can you use macros that are already present?
I am and have been using Office 365 for years recording macros. It certainly can do so in the desktop versions of Word. We will try to work out what is happening that blocks this for you.
One trouble-shooting step you can try is, with Word closed, rename your Normal.dotm file. Can you then record macros? Where is the Normal Template / How to Find the Normal Template
If you are using macros for text snippets, you are using the wrong Word feature. You should be using AutoText, which can also have keyboard shortcuts.
Other resources:
- Thank you, I sure wish the support chat could have told me that during our 45 minute exchange. Ive always done macros for everything and they still don't work but i will have to work on that later. for now autocorrect will suffice. thanks
Unfortunately, support chat seems to be based on canned answers and is staffed by people who do not actually use or understand Word.
Both AutoText and AutoText can be used for text snippets. These are different features and are both valuable. I use both virtually every time I use Word.
AutoText can have keyboard shortcuts and can AutoComplete; AutoCorrect acts on trigger words as you type. Here are some more resources:
- Exploiting AutoCorrect by Suzanne Barnhill, MVP
- Using Autotext to deal with repetitive text - Legal Office Guru
- Create reusable text snippets
- Word for Wordperfect Users
- AutoFormat and AutoCorrect (Tame AutoFormat) by Suzanne Barnhill, MVP
For anyone who uses Word more than occasionally, I recommend the series of short tutorials prepared by Shauna Kelly a while back. Basic Concepts of Microsoft Word - from Shauna Kelly
If you haven't been using AutoText or AutoCorrect, I would guess that you may not have been using Styles to your advantage, either. The Importance of Styles in Microsoft Word
If you want to track down more on your macros, I recommend looking at some of the threads you will find on the Microsoft Answers forum. Here are three searches there:
- https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/search/search?SearchTerm=macros%20stopped%20working&tab=&status=all&advFil=&IsSuggestedTerm=false&isFilterExpanded=undefined&CurrentScope.ForumName=msoffice&CurrentScope.Filter=msoffice_word&ContentTypeScope=&page=1&sort=Relevance&dir=Desc
- https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/search/search?SearchTerm=can%27t%20record%20macro&tab=&status=all&advFil=&IsSuggestedTerm=false&isFilterExpanded=undefined&CurrentScope.ForumName=msoffice&CurrentScope.Filter=msoffice_word&ContentTypeScope=&page=1&sort=Relevance&dir=Desc
- https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/search/search?SearchTerm=macros%20broken&tab=&status=all&advFil=&IsSuggestedTerm=false&isFilterExpanded=undefined&CurrentScope.ForumName=msoffice&CurrentScope.Filter=msoffice_word&ContentTypeScope=&page=1&sort=Relevance&dir=Desc
