How to Insert AutoText in Word 2007

Create AutoText entries using Word 2007.

Microsoft Word 2007's AutoText feature allows you to create text entries, add them to a gallery of AutoText and insert the text into a document. AutoText can be useful if you regularly type the same words or phrases and don't want to continually retype them. Before inserting AutoText in Word, you must access the AutoText gallery and add customized text entries to it.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Open a new or existing document in Microsoft Word 2007.

2. Add the AutoText gallery to the Quick Access Toolbar, which is the small row of icons at the top of the screen. Click the "Microsoft Office Button," then "Word Options." Click the "Customize" tab. In the "Choose commands from" list, click "All Commands." Scroll through the list of commands and select "AutoText." Click "Add." Click "OK." The AutoText icon is added to the Quick Access Toolbar. This will allow you to insert AutoText from the gallery.

3. Click the "AutoText" icon to view the existing gallery.

4. Create an AutoText entry that you want to save in the gallery for later use. In the document, type a word or phrase you want to save, then highlight the text. Click the "AutoText" icon in the Quick Access Toolbar. Select "Save Selection to AutoText Gallery."

5. Enter the required information in the "Create New Building Block" dialog box. Keep both the name and gallery selection the same. Under "Category," choose a category for the entry or create a new one by selecting "Create New Category." Type a description for the entry if needed. In the "Save-in" menu, select the name of a template in which you want to save the particular AutoText entry. In the "Options" menu, choose how you want to insert the entry. Click "OK."

6. Place your cursor where you want to insert an AutoText entry. Click the "AutoText" icon, then select the entry you want to insert.

7. Click the "Microsoft Office Button," then "Save" to save the changes to the document.

Tips & Warnings

• A different way to use AutoText in Word 2007 is to have certain text automatically inserted as you type. This is known as the AutoCorrect feature. In an existing document, type and select the text that you want automatically inserted. Click the "Microsoft Office Button," then "Word Options." Click the "Proofing" tab. Click "AutoCorrection Options" at the top of the screen. Click the "AutoCorrect" tab in the dialog box. Under the checked "Replace text as you type" box, under "Replace," enter the text you want to replace. The text you selected from your document will appear under "With." Click "OK."

References

• Microsoft Word 2007: Add AutoText