The AutoText feature has been available in Word for quite some time. Beginning with Word 2000, if you choose AutoText from the Insert menu, you can see a series of submenu choices that appear to categorize all the AutoText entries available to you. At first glance, these categories may seem a bit strange, and you might wonder how you can add your own categories.
Word comes with some built-in categories that are designed for the built-in AutoText entries in Word. If you want to create your own categories, simply make sure that the text you add as an AutoText entry is formatted with a style that matches the name of the category you want. Sound confusing? Perhaps an example will help.
Let's suppose you have some text that is formatted with a paragraph style called "My Paragraph." If you create an AutoText entry from that text, it will end up listed in a category called My Paragraph. Likewise, an AutoText entry originally formatted with the Header style would end up in a category called Header.
The upshot of this is that if you don't use styles, you can't organize your AutoText entries into categories. This is because the default style (Normal) is typically used as a starting point for most people doing explicit formatting. When you add the text as an AutoText entry, you guessed it—it goes into a category called Normal.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (485) applies to Microsoft Word 2000, 2002, and 2003.
Discover the Power of Microsoft Office This beginner-friendly guide reveals the expert tips and strategies you need to skyrocket your productivity and use Office 365 like a pro. Mastering software like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is essential to be more efficient and advance your career. Simple lessons guide you through every step, providing the knowledge you need to get started. Check out Microsoft Office 365 For Beginners today!
AutoText can be a great way to add consistent, common text to a document. Unfortunately, you cannot save AutoText entries ...
Discover MoreMany people use AutoText to enhance their use of Word. If you've invested significant time in customizing AutoText to ...
Discover MoreIn some instances, Word may actually refuse to save any of your AutoText entries in the Normal.dot template. There are a ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Got a version of Word that uses the menu interface (Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, or Word 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
Visit the WordTips channel on YouTube
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2026 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments