Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated June 26, 2018)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
One of the properties that Word allows you to save with a document is a title for the document. If you use this property regularly with your new documents, you can create a way for Word to automatically name your document by looking at the title you provided.
This particular macro is well-suited for use with letters, although it could be easily modified for other types of documents. The macro is named FileSaveAs, so it replaces the built-in Save As command. The best place to save this macro is in the template you use for your letters:
Sub FileSaveAs() Dim MyDocTitle As String MyDocTitle = Format(Date, "yymmdd") + " letter" Selection.HomeKey Unit:=wdStory Selection.Find.ClearFormatting With Selection.Find .Text = "^pDear " .Replacement.Text = "" .Forward = True .Wrap = wdFindContinue .Format = False .MatchCase = False .MatchWholeWord = False .MatchWildcards = False .MatchSoundsLike = False .MatchAllWordForms = False End With Selection.Find.Execute If Selection.Find.Found Then Selection.MoveRight Unit:=wdCharacter, Count:=1 Selection.EndKey Unit:=wdLine, Extend:=wdExtend Selection.MoveLeft Unit:=wdCharacter, Count:=2, Extend:=wdExtend If Len(Selection.Text) > 1 Then MyDocTitle = MyDocTitle + " to " + Selection.Text End If End If With Dialogs(wdDialogFileSummaryInfo) .Title = MyDocTitle .Execute End With Dialogs(wdDialogFileSaveAs).Show End Sub
Note that this macro only works properly when you are first saving a new document. If you use it with an existing document (one previously saved under a different name), the original name is still suggested as the default in the Save As dialog box, even though the document title is modified.
The macro can be assigned to a toolbar button or a menu option so you can save your documents and name them automatically.
Note:
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (1693) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Word (Word 2007 and later) here: An Automatic File Name.
Learning Made Easy! Quickly teach yourself how to format, publish, and share your content using Word 2021 or Microsoft 365. With Step by Step, you set the pace, building and practicing the skills you need, just when you need them! Check out Microsoft Word Step by Step today!
Need a series of documents that include an individual's name or a company name? Here's a handy little macro that will ...
Discover MoreIf you have some documents that open in Word 2003, but not in Word 2000, it may mean that you are running into some ...
Discover MoreError messages in Word can be frustrating. For instance, if you see a message that says something about WRS files, it can ...
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 © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments