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. Doug Robbins - MVP - Office Apps and Services 323.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2013-04-23T08:57:36+00:00

    And, have you read the preceding responses?  Particularly where Suzanne advises:

    Quote

    The best way to test is to make sure that the setting to "Prompt before saving Normal template" is enabled at File | Options | Advanced: Save. When you quit Word after creating and saving new macros, you should be asked whether you want Word to save the Normal template. Say yes, of course.

    Unquote

    After creating a macro in the Normal.dotm template are you prompted to save that template when you quit Word?

    If you have the option set to be Prompted before saving the Normal template and you do not see that message when you quit Word after creating a macro, then some third party add-in IS INTERFERING WITH THE PROCESS.

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-04-23T06:37:02+00:00

    What kind of nonsense is this?  I ONLY have the home version of Word on an HP computer with Word 2010, Windows 7.   This is a personal, private computer, no "sadistic administrators" or add-ins.  This is "at Microsoft's door."  It is nowhere but at Microsoft.  And I'm still trying to make both my macros and styles permanent.   They're still disappearing whenever I exit the DOCUMENT, let alone Word.

    Thanks for your help.

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-11-26T22:14:38+00:00

    Charles:  "You can, if you wish, blame Microsoft for allowing others to extend the interface or alter it."

    I did not blame Microsoft for that.  I too think it is a good thing.  We DO want other apps integrating with Word.  What I do blame them for is not giving ENOUGH information out to third-party developers in order to prevent problems.  They keep some internal workings buried so deep that third-party developers are making guesses.  Of course there will be problems.

    Look at the persistent issues with Skype and Bluetooth add-ins screwing up Word.  I find it telling that it is primarily an issue with Word, not other Office apps.

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  4. Charles Kenyon 170.9K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2012-11-26T20:09:37+00:00

    Note: You’ve posted your question or problem in response to a question that has already been marked as “answered” by the original poster. Your computer and Word configuration is unlikely to be the same as that of the original poster. Posting this way means you may not get as good a response as you would if you started a new question.

    The reason for this is that people answering these questions look for ones that haven’t already been marked as having been answered. Also, when you ask your own question you give information about the version of Word and your operating system that can make a difference in the answer.

    That said,you should read through this entire thread. It addresses common causes of the problem you've encountered (all causes so far as I know).

    Macros are stored, by default, in the normal template. You can store them in a different template and probably they will stay there just fine. Then you need to either install that template as a global template or use it as the basis for the document where you want to use the macro.

    See Global Templates

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