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How to Transfer Word AutoText and Building Blocks to a New PC
Question details
The user needs to migrate custom AutoText entries and document building blocks from an old computer to a new PC running Microsoft Word.
- Product
- Microsoft Word 2019
- Device & OS
- Windows 11
- Scenario
- Setting up a new Windows 11 PC and needing to carry over saved custom templates, AutoText, and building blocks from a previous computer.
- Observed behavior
- Custom AutoText and building blocks are not available on the new PC until their respective template files are manually transferred to the correct system folders.
Ensure you have a USB flash drive or access to a cloud storage service to move files between the computers, and completely close Microsoft Word on both devices before proceeding.
Migrate Template Files to the Word Startup Folder
Transfer your existing Normal.dotm and Building Blocks.dotx files into the Word Startup folder on your new PC to instantly restore your custom entries.
Microsoft Word stores AutoText primarily in the Normal.dotm file, while other layout elements are saved in Building Blocks.dotx. By moving these files from your old computer to the specific Startup directory on your new computer, Word will automatically load your custom elements.
On your old computer, open File Explorer and navigate to %AppData%\Microsoft\Templates to find your 'Normal.dotm' file. Next, navigate to C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Document Building Blocks\1033\ to locate 'Building Blocks.dotx'.
Select both 'Normal.dotm' and 'Building Blocks.dotx', right-click to copy them, and paste them onto a USB drive or a synced cloud folder.
On your new Windows 11 PC, open Microsoft Word and go to File > Options > Advanced. Scroll down to the General section and click on 'File Locations' to identify the exact path of your Startup folder (commonly %AppData%\Microsoft\Word\Startup).
Close Microsoft Word. Open File Explorer, navigate to the Startup folder path you identified, and paste both the 'Normal.dotm' and 'Building Blocks.dotx' files from your USB drive into this folder.
Launch Microsoft Word on your new PC. Try inserting an AutoText entry to confirm that your custom building blocks have been successfully migrated.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I find the Normal.dotm file on my new Windows 11 PC?
Microsoft Word does not automatically generate a Normal.dotm file on a brand new installation until you save a custom AutoText entry, change a default font, or modify a macro. You can still paste your old Normal.dotm file into the Templates or Startup folder to restore your settings.
What is the '1033' folder in the Building Blocks path?
The '1033' folder represents the Locale ID (LCID) for US English. If you use a different language version of Windows or Microsoft Office, this folder will have a different numerical name (for example, '2057' for UK English). Ensure you look inside the correct locale folder for your region.
Can I store my AutoText in a file other than Normal.dotm?
Yes. You can save AutoText entries in customized template files (.dotx or .dotm) instead of Normal.dotm. As long as you place these custom template files into the Word Startup folder, the AutoText entries will load globally whenever you open Word.
How do I quickly open the AppData folder in Windows?
You can quickly access the AppData folder by pressing the Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box, typing '%appdata%' (without quotes), and pressing Enter. This directly opens the Roaming folder inside AppData.
