Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated January 21, 2020)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
AutoText allows you assign text or graphics to a keyword and then replace the keyword with the text or graphics whenever you want. If you have been a long-time user of Word, chances are pretty good that you have developed quite a few AutoText entries for things like signature blocks in letters, boilerplate text, and long, hard-to-spell words.
Assuming you have quite a few AutoText entries, you may be wondering how you can back up those entries so they can be moved to a different computer. It is quite easy to do, really. All you need to do is back up your template files. This is where the AutoText entries are stored.
It is a good bet that most of your commonly used AutoText entries are in the Normal template file, so backing up this file will help you retain the majority of your information. Many Word users, however, also store AutoText entries in other template files. For instance, you may only have your AutoText entry for your signature block stored in the template you use to create letters.
To be safe, you can use the Find File feature to locate all the DOT files on your system. These can then be quickly copied to some backup medium, such as a CD-ROM, a memory drive, or to another disk location.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (1088) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003.
Do More in Less Time! An easy-to-understand guide to the more advanced features available in the Microsoft 365 version of Word. Enhance the quality of your documents and boost productivity in any field with this in-depth resource. Complete your Word-related tasks more efficiently as you unlock lesser-known tools and learn to quickly access the features you need. Check out Microsoft 365 Word For Professionals For Dummies today!
Creating custom AutoText entries is not only extremely helpful, but very easy. This tip explains how.
Discover MoreEditing AutoText entries, and particularly deleting them, can be cumbersome if you have a lot of changes to make. There ...
Discover MoreDo you write letters to lots of different people? One good place to keep those addresses is in AutoText entries. They are ...
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