Word 2010 Macros disappear when Word is closed

Anonymous
2011-01-17T14:38:14+00:00

Hi folks,

I've been using Word since the beginning of time and using simple macros in Word to increase efficiency.  I recently upgraded (or downgraded) to Word 2010 and now the macros disappear when I close Word.  I've checked everywhere to fix this annoyance and changed the Trust Centre settings to enable macros, made sure I'm saving them in the correct template, even checked the add-ins.  What was once a simple and elegant little function has morphed into a complicated labryinth of settings.  I thought software upgrades were to make the process more intuitive and simple but here I've spent over an hour trying to find a solution.  The 90 days of support for Office is a joke. After phoning in to 1-800-668-7975 I went through 10 questions with the 'electronic host. ' Finally you get a person who refers you to the Word Professional support person who then tells you to go to a website and search the forums. I've been a support of Microsoft products for years but I think this is the beginning of the end for Microsoft. Windows 7 is certainly a big improverement over the last two OSs but Office Word 2010 is a pain.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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Anonymous
2011-01-17T15:24:33+00:00

Word 2010 stores macros in the same manner as earlier versions - in templates, documents and by default the normal template.

If you have an old normal.dot file with your macros from an earlier Word version, rename the Word 2010 normal template (normal.dotm) to oldnormal.dotm with Word closed.

Put the old normal.dot file in the same folder as oldnormal.dotm and restart Word. Word will read the old template and create a new normal template. From Word Options > Advanced > Save - Check the option to prompt to save the normal template (and preferably the option to create backups). Close Word and you should get a prompt to save the normal template. Save it!

Remove the old normal.dot from the folder and restart Word. Your macros should be available. Whether they will work correctly in Word 2010 rather depends on what they do.

If you don't have an old normal.dot file - just complete the other steps. You will have to add macros to the resulting template.

By default the Word Startup and User Templates folders are trusted folders. If you have moved those locations from the default settings you will need to add the folders to the trusted folders list.

Graham Mayor - Word MVP

www.gmayor.com

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-08-28T04:27:24+00:00

    "These third-party add-ins are beyond Microsoft's control, so the blame should not be laid at Microsoft's door."

    I partially agree, but SOME of the blame CAN be laid on Microsoft's door in that part of the reason they are beyond Microsoft's control is because Microsoft does not release control.  I seriously doubt application (add-in) developers would deliberately create add-ins that cause so much grief.  They cause problems BECAUSE (at least in part) Microsoft allows it.

    Further, the fact that so many people are not happy with the so-called upgrade to 2010 (and I am one of them) is something that Microsoft IS responsible for.

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-08-28T03:49:27+00:00

    Hi Suzanne and Graham, I corresponded with you a few days ago under the heading "Macro seems to disappear - Word 2010" - while the advice you both gave me was helpful, it didn't solve my problem. (I have never used VBA and am too old to start learning that now!). I have done extensive research and see that I am far from being alone. This thread very much describes my problem but I have been unable to find a solution. Like everyone says, it just disappears when you close the document. I do not have two versions of Normal (in fact right this minute I can't even see one! - I have NormalEmail and NormalOld, as well as something with a "blank page icon" called Normal.dotm.diagOld. I have opened and closed Word numerous times. My normal.dotm template must be there because I can go File | New and call up a blank page. As far as add-ins go I have not installed a single add-in - I only installed Office 2010 a few weeks ago after completely uninstalling Office 2007. Today I ran the Microsoft Fix It program which asked me lots of questions and went through add ins etc. It did something because it removed my Developer tab from my ribbon which I have since replaced. I did try removing some add ins, just in case, but it said they could not be removed. In any event, the problem persists. From the extensive research I have done and the realisation that there are numerous people facing the same issue, I have resisted the urge to reinstall Word 2010 - I did do a repair but tht made no difference. I note this particular thread was in November 2011 so hopefully there is more knowledge about it now and that someone out there can assist. Many thanks. Trish

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-08-28T03:47:55+00:00

    Hi Suzanne and Graham, I corresponded with you a few days ago under the heading "Macro seems to disappear - Word 2010" - while the advice you both gave me was helpful, it didn't solve my problem. (I have never used VBA and am too old to start learning that now!). I have done extensive research and see that I am far from being alone. This thread very much describes my problem but I have been unable to find a solution. Like everyone says, it just disappears when you close the document. I do not have two versions of Normal (in fact right this minute I can't even see one! - I have NormalEmail and NormalOld, as well as something with a "blank page icon" called Normal.dotm.diagOld. I have opened and closed Word numerous times. My normal.dotm template must be there because I can go File | New and call up a blank page. As far as add-ins go I have not installed a single add-in - I only installed Office 2010 a few weeks ago after completely uninstalling Office 2007. Today I ran the Microsoft Fix It program which asked me lots of questions and went through add ins etc. It did something because it removed my Developer tab from my ribbon which I have since replaced. I did try removing some add ins, just in case, but it said they could not be removed. In any event, the problem persists. From the extensive research I have done and the realisation that there are numerous people facing the same issue, I have resisted the urge to reinstall Word 2010 - I did do a repair but tht made no difference. I note this particular thread was in November 2011 so hopefully there is more knowledge about it now and that someone out there can assist. Many thanks. Trish

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-03-27T12:06:31+00:00

    i also copy the normal.dot file for _sharing_ my shortcuts.

    are you sure anonymous users have acces grant to %aplicationsettings%templates for normal.dot*? maybe someone could make better use of a addins feature ...

    ths

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