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

I must have found somethingthat made me think it might have been a result of a pre-release version, but I can't remember what it was or why I didn't reference an article. Maybe something was mentioned in the release notes for Office 2010.

Thanks for the follow-up. I guess a conflict with a trial version is a possibility. It would definitely explain why I haven't had any problems with AutoComplete (beyond the well-known limitations), because I've never used any trial versions of Office. (If I ever a trial one on a new computer, I uninstall it immediately.)

In another message, you also mention Dragon Naturally Speaking. I'm wondering if it installs an add-in with Word. It's wise to investigate all possibilities, if you haven't already done so.

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.