Word 2010 Macros disappear when Word is closed

Where are you storing your macros? Note that in Word 2007 and later, you can create macros in any file, but you can't save the macros unless the file is a macro-enabled document (*.docm) or macro-enabled template (*.dotm).

By default, if you didn't specify a particular location, macros get saved to the Normal template. When you lose a macro, see if you find a renamed version of the Normal template in your user templates folder.

Here are the instructions that worked for me, which I posted but can't find in this thread when I look.

1. Importing autotext/macros from your old normal.dot template

Graham Mayor’s instructions worked for me, and here they are in essence:-

1. If you have an old normal.dot file with your macros from an earlier Word version, CLOSE WORD before doing anything and don’t open it again until these instructions say so.
2. Rename the Word 2010 normal template (normal.dotm) to oldnormal.dotm
3. Put your old normal.dot file (with all your old macros/autotext entries in it) in the same folder
4. Restart Word and then re-boot the computer
5. Word will (in my experience only on re-boot) then create a new normal template and EVERYTHING worked – macros and their keyboard shortcuts; autotext entries of several paragraphs – the lot.  So I didn’t do any more!
6. The rest of Graham’s instructions didn’t work for me (I couldn’t get a prompt to save the normal template whatever I did – even checking Word Options > Advanced > Save > Prompt before saving normal template).  This meant I couldn’t write new macros at all – but I can now, so read on.

How to solve the Word 2010 won’t save Macros problem

Charles effectively solved this for me by suggesting Word Add-ins were causing the problem, but there are different ways of disabling them, of which only one worked for me – viz:-

1. In Word, chose OPTIONS from the drop down File button
2. Click on Addins
3. At the bottom of that page it says MANAGE  > Com addins > Go – click GO
4. Untick all the addins and re-start Word

In my case the addins causing the problem were PDF Converter Pro 7, and I don’t know what they do and haven’t missed them so I’ve left the boxes unticked, but of course if they do anything you miss you can always re-tick them after writing your macros and customising the QAT or Ribbon.

Hope this solves your problem!

Ken

Hello All,

I know that by now most of you must have moved on (this is 2014, I was looking for a solution and stumbled with this thread), nevertheless, I hope some one can help.

Very same issue, this started happening many years ago with Word 2002, I "upgraded to" to use 2007 and same thing. I am now using 2013 and no improvement. I've done it all to keep my macros available, some stay with me, some just disappear. But today I started Word and ALL OF THEM WERE GONE.

Add-ins? None that I know! I just installed the program and started using it and yes, it is in my PC at home, no network or anything. I have to wholeheartedly agree with RTWatson: "In the age of Apple, how does increased complication and user frustration constitute an "upgrade"?

The only reason why I do not abandon Microsoft/PCs is Apple's lack of compatibility with certain applications I need to use.

Any way, can someone help with my macros?

Thank you all in advance.

MT

Read through all of the responses in this thread. I expect your answer is here. You may want to start a new thread/question on this to get the most feedback and help with your personal problem.

Macros are stored in templates (or less frequently, in documents). They do not simply disappear, but the files containing them can be overwritten. Further, if you convert a .dot file to a .dotx file it will lose all macros. (Same is true of .doc to .docx.)

Look for older versions of your templates. If stored in the default location, it would have been normal.dot before you upgraded. They should have been transferred to the normal.dotm file upon upgrade, but if you have the old file, they are likely still there. Normal Template in Microsoft Word - How to Find or Open the Normal Template

That you haven't installed Add-Ins deliberately does not mean you have none. Add-ins come with all kinds of other software and often with computers. They are usually installed without notice to the user.

To actually see macros, you would use the Alt+F11 key combination. That launches the vba editor. Recorded macros are always stored in a newmacros module of the template in which they are stored. Hope this helps.

Hello All,

I know that by now most of you must have moved on (this is 2014, I was looking for a solution and stumbled with this thread), nevertheless, I hope some one can help.

Very same issue, this started happening many years ago with Word 2002, I "upgraded to" to use 2007 and same thing. I am now using 2013 and no improvement. I've done it all to keep my macros available, some stay with me, some just disappear. But today I started Word and ALL OF THEM WERE GONE.

Add-ins? None that I know! I just installed the program and started using it and yes, it is in my PC at home, no network or anything. I have to wholeheartedly agree with RTWatson: "In the age of Apple, how does increased complication and user frustration constitute an "upgrade"?

The only reason why I do not abandon Microsoft/PCs is Apple's lack of compatibility with certain applications I need to use.

Any way, can someone help with my macros?

Thank you all in advance.

MT