You can store and quickly insert text, graphics, and other items that you use frequently. Word
inserts the stored items in your document automatically when you type the first few characters, or when you choose an entry from a menu. Word
comes with a number of built-in
AutoTextA location where you can store reusable text or graphics that you want to insert quickly by typing only a few characters. For example, you might store a standard contract clause or a long distribution list for memos. Word
comes with some standard entries, such as "Dear Sir or Madam" and "Respectfully yours."
entries, and you can also create your own.

Do any of the following:
 | Create an AutoText entry |
-
Select the text or graphic that you want to store as an AutoText entry.
To store
paragraph formattingFormatting that controls the appearance of a paragraph — for example, indentation, alignment, line spacing, and pagination. There are several different ways to apply paragraph formatting in Word, including the Paragraph command on the Format menu. Other formatting such as tabs, borders and shading, and bullets and numbering, also affect the appearance of a paragraph.
with the entry, include the paragraph mark
in the selection.
 | Tip To see paragraph marks, on the Standard toolbar, click Show . |
-
On the Insert menu, point to AutoText, and then click New.
-
In the Create New AutoText dialog box, enter a name for the AutoText entry.
Word
stores the AutoText entry for later use.
 | Tip If you plan to insert the entry automatically, make sure that the name contains at least four characters because Word
inserts an entry only after you type four characters. |
-
Click OK.
 | Note Word
stores the AutoText entry in the Normal template, which makes it available in all documents. If you want to limit AutoText entries to particular documents, on the Insert menu, point to AutoText, click AutoText, and then select a different template on the Look in pop-up menu when you create the AutoText entry. |
 | Insert an AutoText entry from a menu |
You can use AutoText to insert text or graphics into a document.
-
Click in the document where you want to insert the AutoText entry.
-
On the Insert menu, point to AutoText, and then click the name of the AutoText entry that you want.
 | Tip AutoText entries that you add appear on the template submenu for your document, such as Normal. |
 | Edit an AutoText entry |
-
Insert the AutoText entry into your document.
-
Make the changes that you want.
-
In your document, select the revised AutoText entry.
To store
paragraph formattingFormatting that controls the appearance of a paragraph — for example, indentation, alignment, line spacing, and pagination. There are several different ways to apply paragraph formatting in Word, including the Paragraph command on the Format menu. Other formatting such as tabs, borders and shading, and bullets and numbering, also affect the appearance of a paragraph.
with the entry, include the paragraph mark
in the selection.
 | Tip To see paragraph marks, on the Standard toolbar, click Show . |
-
On the Insert menu, point to AutoText, and then click New.
-
Type the original name of the AutoText entry, and then click OK.
-
When prompted if you want to redefine the AutoText entry, click Yes.
 | Notes |
|
|
 | Delete an AutoText entry |
-
On the Insert menu, point to AutoText, and then click AutoText.
-
In the Enter AutoText entries here list, click the name of the AutoText entry that you want to delete.
-
Click Delete.
 | Note You can't undo the editing or deletion of an AutoText entry. |
 | Delete multiple AutoText entries |
-
On the View menu, click Draft, Web Layout, Outline, or Print Layout.
-
On the Tools menu, click Templates and Add-Ins.
-
Click Organizer, and then click the AutoText tab.
-
In the In box on the left, hold down
⌘
and click the AutoText entries that you want to delete, and then click Delete.
 | Note You can't undo the editing or deletion of an AutoText entry. |