6.29.26 -What Happened to My VBA Macros that CoPilot Created?

Richard Norton 0 Reputation points
2026-06-29T18:20:26.84+00:00

6.29.26 -What Happened to My VBA Macros that CoPilot Created?

I asked CoPilot in Word to create several VBA macros which succeeded. I assumed those macros would be saved and accessible in Word the next time I wished to use them; however, they seem to have vanished from the macro drop down in Word. Are they save somewhere and if so, how do I find them? Thanks

Microsoft Copilot | Microsoft 365 Copilot | Development
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  1. AI answer

    2026-06-29T18:20:51.68+00:00

    VBA macros in Word are stored in documents or templates, not in Copilot itself. Copilot only helps generate the code; it does not control where it is saved.

    In Word, macros are typically saved in one of these locations:

    1. The current document/template (e.g., a .docm file or a custom template)
    2. The global template (Normal.dotm), which holds default macros and customizations

    If the macros no longer appear in the Macros list:

    1. Check the macro storage location
      • In Word, go to View > Macros > View Macros.
      • In Macros in, change the dropdown to:
        • Normal.dotm (or All active templates and documents) to see if the macros were stored in the global template.
      • If they appear there, they are still present but were just filtered out by the dropdown selection.
    2. Check that the file type supports macros
      • Macros cannot be saved in a standard .docx file.
      • To retain macros, the document must be saved as a Word Macro-Enabled Document (.docm) or in a macro-enabled template.
      • If the document was saved as .docx, any macros created in that document would not be saved.
    3. Open the Visual Basic Editor to search for modules
      • Enable the Developer tab if needed:
        • File > Options > Customize Ribbon > Main Tabs > Developer (check it) > OK.
      • On the Developer tab, select Visual Basic.
      • In the Project pane, expand:
        • Normal (for Normal.dotm) and any open documents/templates.
      • Look under Modules for the code Copilot generated.
    4. Be aware of template/customization issues after updates
      • Word customizations (macros, autotext, styles) are often stored in Normal.dotm.
      • After some Office updates, this file can be renamed or replaced, causing macros to appear “missing.”
      • If customizations disappeared after an update, they may be in a renamed Normal template in the templates folder (for example, a previous Normal.dotm renamed by an update). Restoring that file name can bring back macros and other customizations.

    Once the macros are located in Normal.dotm or a .docm file, they will appear again in the Macros dropdown when that template/document is loaded.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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