Packers and movers have made life easier while shifting homes. I can’t think of the mess nowadays shifting homes from one place to another without packers and movers. How about shifting your Microsoft Word AutoCorrect entries from one computer to another? Were you ever in need of shifting AutoCorrect entries from one computer to the other; either from your home computer to the one at office, or from your desktop to laptop, or to take a backup of the AutoCorrect entries before formatting your hard drive? If yes, how do you do this?
One way to do this is as said in Microsoft help page but I think it is lengthy to understand and execute. The other way is to use the tool that I am going to give you below, a “free AutoCorrect backup and restore utility for Microsoft Word.” I had this software working promptly for MS Word 1997, 2000 and 2003 but haven’t checked with 2007 version. I moved my MS Word AutoCorrect entries from my desktop running on Windows XP/MS Office 2003 to my laptop running on Windows Vista/MS Office 2003. You too should be able to backup, transfer and restore AutoCorrect entries from computer to computer, or copy AutoCorrect entries to a Word document before a hard drive format. There is nothing wrong in trying this tool with your version of operating system and office suite, as it is not going to break up anything on your computer and after all, this is a free download! So, here are the installation instructions for you:
- Open MS Word. Go to Tools/Macro/Security. Click on ‘Low’ Security Level. (Do not forget to restore the security level to medium or high, whatever your default is, after running the macros.)
- Save the downloaded file to your desktop.
- Unzip the template inside the zipped file to your desktop.
To back up your AutoCorrect entries to a MS Word document
- The AutoCorrect macro runs automatically when you open this template; but if you cancel out of the dialog, you can click on the “Start” button on the “AutoCorrect” toolbar. If the Toolbar isn’t visible, right-click on any toolbar and select “AutoCorrect” from the list of tool bars.
- Select “Backup.” The macro will export all your AutoCorrect entries to a Word document. It will allow you to choose the file name and save path but defaults to your default document directory, with a default file name of: “AutoCorrect Backup Document.”
- Transfer AutoCorrect entries to the other computer.
To import the AutoCorrect entries into MS Word from the backed up document
- Select “Restore.” Browse for the Word file that you backed up, and Bob’s your Uncle.
Excellent information! Autocorrect can do many of the things that other text expanders can do. Learning how to move the information from one computer to the other saves time and trouble in the long run.
I have used this program before and it worked great. However, now when I try to run it I get “run time error” and it only copies part of my auto correct.
Have you tried lowering the security level of macros?
Which operating system (OS) and MS Office version do you have?
I have the security setting in macros at low. I have XPpro and Office 2000.
Then the suspect may either be a virus or a “Global template or add-in.”
Try these solutions:
1.) Scan your machine with an antivirus.
2.) Remove the global template or add-in and try again.
I checked for virus and unload my one add in (Abacus line count) and am still having the same problem. It starts running through adding my AC entries and gets through all but about 50 (out of over 1000) and I then get the runtime error at the same place every time. When I run the debug, it always highlights the same place in the code:
In the *****GetAutoCorrect Entries()***** section:
If X < TotalACEntries Then
Set MyRange= MyRange.Next (wdCell)
MyRange.Collapse
It is that last line "MyRange.Collapse that debug highlights.
I’m really knocked out this time! Have to Google your problem at free time.
This is the exact site I have been looking for; however, the instructions are not compatible with Vista. Do you have directions on how to backup autocorrects to an external drive for Vista?
Thank you so much.
Michelle
“Uncle Bob” is my HERO!! Works transferring from Word 2007 to Word 2010 also!!!
Thank you very much. Greetings from Turkey.
I am Turkish – English translator and MTH AutoCorrect Utility is my right hand.
Hi there! You must be the nicest person in the WORLD! I am eternally grateful for your generosity in posting this. I have been working on this for years and could not make it go due to errors. This was so simple it was miraculous!
Blessings to you and yours!
Linda
I have my PC in the shop but I am now on my old laptop and need to work on here. I have my word doc for the autocorrect keys and had it imported long time ago. For some reason it is not anymore! It is not reflecterd in AC. ANYHOW, from my backup doc how do I get this imported again? I am not sure where restore is found.. so I have to ask. Thanks! I am pretty desperate…
I retraced some steps and the cobwebs cleared!!! And I do love Uncle Bob! TY SO MUCH!
anyone know how to use this in word 2010?? when i try to open it i get an error.. i tried fixing the trust center to allow macros but it still will not open up the box for restore and backup.. it just gives me the word doc telling me what to do.. help!!!
Can this macro be adapted to MS Outlook? I have Outlook 2010, and even though it uses Word as its email editor, the AutoCorrect entries that I imported into Word using the MTH macro do not show up in Outlook when I create a new email.
thanks.
This macro holds good only for MS Word. To export/import Outlook Autocorrect entries, you should use “Save My Settings Wizard.” Read and try all the instructions given in this link: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/826809
Hi Raj. The zip file seems to be corrupted. Please upload a fresh one. Thank you for the awesome work you have been doing. It is really helpful.
Thanks
It was working fine clocking more than 4813 downloads. Still I uploaded a fresh one based on your request. Hope it works fine for you this time. Try and let me know. Sorry for the trouble.
Have a good day.
my acl file is too large, around 2 mb, it does not convert my entries says run time error 5148, the number must be between 1 and 32760, i think my autocurrects number more than that and i still need to add a lot more entries into my acl file, that means hte number will go higher and higher, has anybody got a solution to it??? Fillie
Hi Raf,
Great utility – used to work but now I get an error message – see below:
For x = 1 To TotalACEntries
MyRange.Text = Application.Autocorrect.Entries(x).Name THIS IS WHERE IT STOPS
Set MyRange = MyRange.Next(wdCell)
MyRange.Collapse
‘check for formatting and insert RTF text if necessary
If Application.Autocorrect.Entries(x).RichText = True Then
Application.Autocorrect.Entries(x).Apply Range:=MyRange
Else
I was wondering if this works from Word 2003 to Word 2016 for the autocorrect restore??
Thank you very much.
It’s working for Word 2003. Let us know if it works for the others, especially Word 2016.
I did made the backup copy of my autocorrect list that I have in Word 2003. I am trying to transfer and restore my autocorrect list from Word 2003 to Word 2016. However, when I go to open the document in Word 2016 the document simply opens and there is no window for the restore button. The document is simply there with the three columns, ect. No option pops up to restore or backup or anything. Any suggestions?
Thank you very much. Obviously you are very good with Word!! You have helped so many people out with this autocorrect.
Unfortunately, I do not have Word 2016. Feeling helpless. Sorry. Someone else should have to come up with a solution.
I am trying to transfer my .acl files from Word 97 to Word 2007 and it won’t do it. It runs through everything, but all the entries are not there. I even installed the Word 97 on the Windows 10 computer and it works fine, but it won’t import the files. It starts and then stops every time at 198 and I have 6300 + files. When I try to restart it I get “You do not have access to the folder ‘C\Users\User\Desktop\*.doc.’ See your administrator for access to this folder. I AM the administrator and I have made sure I have all the permissions or so I thought. Help??