Microsoft KB Archive/189767

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WD: Auto Macros in Word

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Q189767

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 2.0c, 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c
 * Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 7.0, 7.0a
 * Microsoft Word for Windows NT, version 6.0
 * Microsoft Word for the Macintosh, versions 6.0, 6.0.1, 6.0.1a

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SUMMARY
Word reserves special names for macros that you can create to alter the way Word behaves. These are called auto macros. The auto macros in Microsoft Word are:

  AutoExec AutoNew AutoOpen AutoClose AutoExit

MORE INFORMATION
Word recognizes a macro whose name begins with "Auto" as a macro that runs automatically when the situation to which it applies arises. You supply the actual steps for the auto macro by either writing or recording the macro.

You can prevent an auto macro from running by holding down the SHIFT key when you perform the action that triggers the macro.

NOTE: There are also a variety of start-up switches that can be used with Word. For more information aobut startup switches, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

"Q122687 WD: How to Start Word for the Macintosh Without an Open Document"

Description of Auto Macros
AutoExec:

The AutoExec macro runs when you start Word. This macro makes it easy to instruct Word to automatically make adjustments when you start Word. For example, you can create an AutoExec macro that automatically changes the default directory when you open Word for Windows.

For more information about how to change the default directory, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

"Q183996 WD98: Changing the Default Folder" The AutoExec macro runs when Word starts if the AutoExec macro was saved as part of the default (Normal.dot) template or if it was saved as part of a global add-in.

To prevent AutoExec from running, type

"winword /m" at a command prompt to start Word.

AutoNew:

The AutoNew macro runs after you create a new document based on a current template. For example, an AutoNew macro could update all the fields in a document, attached to a template of choice, and then run when you open a new document based on that template. The AutoNew macro runs when New is selected on the File menu in Word if the AutoNew macro was saved as part of the current template.

The AutoNew macro does not run if the AutoNew macro was saved as part of a global add-in. The AutoNew macro is available when selecting Macros from the Tools menu.

AutoOpen:

The AutoOpen macro runs after you open a file with the FileOpen or FileFind command, or from the list of the last four documents that were opened (see the bottom of the File menu).

The AutoOpen macro runs when Open is selected on the File menu and the AutoOpen macro was saved as part of the current template.

The AutoOpen macro does not run if the AutoOpen macro was saved as part of a global add-in. The AutoOpen macro is available when Macros is selected on the Tools menu.

AutoClose:

The AutoClose macro runs when you close a document. The AutoClose macro will run when Close is selected on the File menu and the AutoClose macro was saved as part of the current template.

The AutoClose macro will not run if the macro was saved as part of a global add-in. The AutoClose macro is available when Macros is selected on the Tools menu.

AutoExit:

The AutoExit macro runs when you quit Word.

The AutoExit macro runs when Word exits if the macro was saved as part of the default (Normal.dot) template or when saved as part of a template that has been added into the Startup folder or added as a global template.