WD: How to Convert Word 6.x AutoCorrect Entries

ID: Q153148

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
• Microsoft Word for Windows 95, version 7.0
• Microsoft Word 97 for Windows

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, make sure you understand how to restore it if a problem occurs. For information about how to do this, view the "Restoring the Registry" Help topic in Regedit.exe or the "Restoring a Registry Key" Help topic in Regedt32.exe.

SUMMARY

This article describes how to convert AutoCorrect entries created in Word 6.x to entries you can use in Word 7.0 and 97.

MORE INFORMATION

AutoCorrect entries are stored in the following locations.

                 Pre-Defined     Shared ACLs      Word-Only ACLs
                 -----------------------------------------------

   Word 6.x      WinWord.exe     Normal.dot         Normal.dot
   Word 7.0      Msoffice.acl    <user>000.acl      Normal.dot
   Word 97       Mso97.acl       <user>.acl         Normal.dot

If you are attempting to convert your Word 6.x AutoCorrect entries to Word 7.0, you can use method 1 or 2 later in this article. If you are attempting to convert Word 6.x AutoCorrect entries to Word 97, you can use only method 1. This is because of a limitation in the conversion of the AutoCorrect macro utility when converting it from WordBasic to Visual Basic for Applications.

Method 1: Remove the Registry Keys and Let Word Convert the ACL File

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys And Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it. If you are running Windows NT, you should also update your Emergency Repair Disk (ERD).

NOTE: This method will convert your Word 6.x AutoCorrect entries to the newer version of Word. The shared AutoCorrect entries in the newer version will remain, but Word-specific AutoCorrect entries will be lost.

To convert Word 6.x AutoCorrect entries to Word 7.0, follow these steps:

1. Rename the <username>000.acl file (located in the Windows directory)

   where <username> is based on your login name.

   <MSOffice>\Templates folder) and then copy or move the Word 6.0
   Normal.dot file from the other computer to this folder.

   the registry:

      HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Word\7.0\Data

      HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Microsoft Office\95\AutoCorrect

To convert Word 6.x AutoCorrect entries to Word 97:

1. Rename the <username>.acl file (located in the Windows directory) where

   <username> is based on your login name.

   Office>\Templates folder) and then copy or move the Word 6.0 Normal.dot
   file from the other computer to this folder.

      HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\8.0\Word\Data

      HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\8.0\Common\AutoCorrect

For additional information, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q135778
   TITLE     : Where AutoCorrect Entries and Settings Are Stored

   ARTICLE-ID: Q153149
   TITLE     : WD95: How To Move Word AutoCorrect Entries Between Computers

Method 2: Use the Word 6.x AutoCorrect Utility Macro

NOTE: This method will only work when converting Word 6.x macros to Word 7.0. It will not work in Word 97.

Install and run the AutoCorrectUtility macro included in the Supplemental Macros for Word 6.0 Application Note. The AutoCorrect Utility macro allows you to copy AutoCorrect entries from an old or backup template to the current, active Word 7.0 template.

For information on how to obtain and use the supplemental macros for Word 6.x, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q123606
   TITLE     : WD6X: Supplemental Macros for Word 6.0 for Windows Available

MORE INFORMATION

If you did not install over a previous version of Word or if you deleted or removed your old Normal.dot file after running Word 7.0, the Registry and the <user name>000.acl file are not updated and the following symptoms may occur:

• The AutoCorrect list does not display any entries.
• When you attempt to add an AutoCorrect entry, the Add button changes to Replace. If you then click the Replace button, a message appears asking if you want to redefine the entry. If you click Yes, the AutoCorrect entry is added to the list and is functional.

Keywords          : kbinterop winword word6 word7 word95 
Version           : WINDOWS: 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c, 7.0, 7.0a, 97;
Platform          : WINDOWS

Last Reviewed: January 21, 1999