Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here: Changing Fonts for AutoText Entries.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated February 1, 2020)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
Cynthia has a number of AutoText entries that are formatted using 11-pt Arial typeface. She wants to change these to 10-pt Times New Roman, so she is wondering if there is a way to change the font specification on these AutoText entries without having to recreate all of them.
The short answer is that you cannot edit AutoText entries; you can only replace them. Fortunately it is not that difficult to do the replacing—just insert the entry, make the changes, select the entry, and save it using the same name as it previously had. Word asks you if you want to replace the entry; you should answer in the affirmative.
There is one caveat that has to do with where AutoText entries are stored. By default they are stored in the Normal.dot file. You should note where the AutoText entry you are replacing is originally stored and make sure that you store the replacement in the same template. Fortunately it is easy to tell if you stored the replacement AutoText entry in the wrong place. If Word doesn't ask if you want to replace the existing entry when you save the replacement, you then know that you saved the entry in a different template where there is no identically named AutoText entry to be replaced.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (3874) 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: Changing Fonts for AutoText Entries.
The First and Last Word on Word! Bestselling For Dummies author Dan Gookin puts his usual fun and friendly candor back to work to show you how to navigate Word 2019. Spend more time working and less time trying to figure it all out! Check out Word 2019 For Dummies today!
When you start to type a date into a document, Word helpfully suggests a full date that you can accept. The result is ...
Discover MoreCreating AutoText entries can be a great way to improve your productivity with Word. At some point you may want to share ...
Discover MoreThere are a couple of ways that you can rename an existing AutoText entry. This tip describes the techniques you can use, ...
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.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here:
Comments