WD: How to Convert Word 6.x AutoCorrect Entries

• 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, you should first make a backup copy of the registry files (System.dat and User.dat). Both are hidden files in the Windows folder.

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.

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall Windows 95 or Windows NT. 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 online Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe). Note that you should make a backup copy of the registry files (System.dat and User.dat) before you edit the registry.

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

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.

2. Rename the Word 7.0 Normal.dot file (usually located in the <MSOffice>\Templates folder) and then copy or move the Word 6.0 Normal.dot file from the other computer to this folder.

3. Remove (or export) the following two registry keys from 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.

2. Rename the Word 97 Normal.dot file (usually located in the <Microsoft Office>\Templates folder) and then copy or move the Word 6.0 Normal.dot file from the other computer to this folder.

3. Remove (or export) the following two registry keys from the Registry.

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

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

For information about where settings are stored in the Word 7.0 registry, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

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

   ARTICLE ID: Q153149
   TITLE: WD: Moving Word AutoCorrect Entries from One Computer to Another

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     : 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.