auto text, why won't it work or only works sporadically ...

Thank you, Stefan, I was aware of those limitations. It's not what we are talking about. This is the problem: with Autotext stored in the Normal template (or the template attached to the current document), on the same document, on the same session, maybe just a few seconds later, the Autotext stops working randomly, with no apparent reason, with no pattern. If, for instance, I have in Autotext "million dollars", maybe it will work a few times, and then it will stop working. 

Also, I know that "AutoComplete feature must be able to uniquely identify the entry it is trying to prompt you for", it happended in other versions, it's not what we are talking about. I know that if I introduce as Autotext "millon dollars" and then I also introduce "million dollars cash", the Autotext won't work, as it gets confused. 

But, anyway, I think I might have found the solution: I read a post here about the trial version of Word. It made me think. I went to see my version (in File > Help) and I discovered that I still had installed the trial version, together with my full paying version. Now I have uninstalled it (you can do it directly in File > Help), and, guess what, so far the Autotext is working almost perfectly. I will keep you updated. I think it might be the solution.

Just to confirm that I have the same problem, very annoying, and (it seems) with no solution. Autotext works sometimes, then it stops working, then maybe it will work again.... with no pattern, no reason. I have also tryed everything. I am just wondering why only a few people complain about this, which is a big problem in Word 2010. The don't have the problem or they just don't even know that Autotext is (or was) a fantastic tool? Please, if someone has found the solution, please share it. Thank you.

AutoComplete has limitations in Word 2010 and 2013. It only triggers for Building Blocks stored in the Normal template or the template attached to the current document.

Also, the AutoComplete feature must be able to uniquely identify Building Block entries (this is actually the same as in older versions).

So, this makes me think (and please excuse my English, I am a Spanish native speaker). Maybe we are all using similar software. I have Microsoft Office Home and Small Offices 2010. Windows 7, Professional Edition. And I use Dragon Naturally Speaking for dictating my text to Word, and I (used) to complement Dragon by using Autotext. Those who experience this problem have similar software as me? The problem in my case started from the begining, from the very first time I used my new software (and hardware) a few years ago. By the way, the best hardware I could buy in those days: Dell XPS with i7.

Just to confirm that I have the same problem, very annoying, and (it seems) with no solution. Autotext works sometimes, then it stops working, then maybe it will work again.... with no pattern, no reason. I have also tryed everything. I am just wondering why only a few people complain about this, which is a big problem in Word 2010. The don't have the problem or they just don't even know that Autotext is (or was) a fantastic tool? Please, if someone has found the solution, please share it. Thank you.

Has there been any resolution to this problem listed by this other person a few years ago? I am wondering if they were able to figure out how to fix this issue. I got a new laptop and had to download from Microsoft a copy of my Word 2010, because my new laptop does not come equipped with a cd drive. However, I did this Microsoft also upgraded it to a newer format and my autocomplete is not working. I type medical transcription, too, and I have re-created my auto complete entries using each step as mentioned above. My text is highlighted, I use Alt-F3 to open the autotext box, I save it with the first several characters it chooses for me in the "name" box, it is "auto text" and "normal" for gallery and such....but it doesn't come up when I start typing!!!! I have deleted and re-entered too many times to count, each time making sure these fields are all as I read they should be and nothing works. I even made sure multiple times that my "Show AutoComplete options" is selected in the options section. I have closed and re-opened Word multiple times, I have rebooted my computer....what else can I try to make the AutoComplete option work??!! I have wasted hours trying to figure this out. I did not ask for my Word 2010 to be altered like this. It is not very user friendly and I just want to use Word for my business the way that I always have. I don't have time for these kinds of setbacks and it is costing me money to not have this functioning correctly. Please help!

Newer format? Are you still using Word 2010? Word 2013? Word 365?

There is no such thing as an AutoComplete entry. There is AutoText or AutoCorrect. See Automated Boilerplate Using Microsoft Word. AutoText had an AutoComplete feature for any entries through Word 2003. This was broken when they introduced Word 2007. It was partially restored in Word 2010.

AutoComplete means that you start typing and a tooltip comes up telling you that you are typing an AutoText entry that can be completed by pressing Enter (or F3). In Word 2010 and later it is only available for entries that are stored as AutoText in Normal template.

Note, it is not a good idea to use the first several characters of the suggested name for naming. The names have to be unique and having them unique in the first four characters makes it work a lot better. There should be no space in the name.

You may want to use Greg Maxey's Enhanced Building Blocks tools and check on the names you have assigned and where they are. Building Blocks & AutoText Otherwise, the Building Blocks Organizer will also give you information and let you edit it.

The F3 key works for AutoText stored in any active or loaded templates. However both methods require that the entries have unique names without spaces as far as you have typed when you press F3 or Enter. This has always been the case.

You can always go to Insert > Quick Parts > AutoText, but that is extra work. I assume that if you do this, you can see your entries are there.

You can also put AutoText into the custom AutoText gallery and/or custom categories and use buttons on your QAT to call them up.