VBA & Macro Problems

Fix Word Macros Not Appearing in Customize Keyboard

Adam Davis Sep 27, 2026 870 views

Question details

Users are unable to locate their VBA macros in the macro list when trying to assign custom keyboard shortcuts.

How to Fix Word Macros Not Appearing in Customize Keyboard

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Assigning a keyboard shortcut to a newly created or imported VBA macro via the application options.
Observed behavior: The macros do not appear in the Customize Keyboard dialog's macro list, preventing the user from assigning shortcuts to them.

Before you start

Ensure that the document or template (.dotm) containing your macros is currently open and actively loaded in memory before attempting to customize keyboard shortcuts.

Solution 1Recommended

Load the Template and Match the Save Location

The most common reason macros do not appear is a mismatch between the currently active document and the shortcut's save location.

Keyboard shortcuts can be stored in the active document, its attached template, or the global Normal.dotm template. The macro and its keyboard shortcut must be stored in the same document or template to function properly.

Open the correct document

Launch your application and open the specific document or macro-enabled template (.dotm) that contains your VBA macros.

Access Customize Keyboard

Navigate to File > Options > Customize Ribbon, and click the 'Customize' button next to the Keyboard shortcuts label at the bottom.

Select the correct save location

In the Customize Keyboard dialog, locate the 'Save changes in' dropdown menu at the bottom right. Change it from Normal.dotm to the specific document or template where your macro resides.

Locate and assign

Scroll through the Categories list on the left, select 'Macros', and verify that your macro now appears in the list on the right. Assign your desired key combination and click 'Assign'.

Load the Template and Match the Save Location

Macro Module Format: Ensure your macro is stored in a standard VBA module within the document, rather than directly inside a document object like ThisDocument.

Solution 2

Open Global Templates Directly for Editing

If your macro is stored in a global template loaded via the Startup folder, it will not appear for shortcut assignment until opened directly.

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Try WPS Office for Seamless Macro and Document Management

If you frequently encounter complex template management issues or missing macros in Microsoft Word, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative with built-in support for essential macro functions in its premium editions.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free WPS Office suite.
2. Open your macro-enabled document: Launch WPS Writer and navigate to Menu > Open to load your .docm or .dotm file.
3. Manage shortcuts effortlessly: Access the intuitive Options menu in WPS Writer to manage your interface and keyboard shortcuts with ease.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Word formats including .docx, .docm, and .dotmLightweight installation with an intuitive, tabbed user interfaceFamiliar layout ensures zero learning curve when migratingFree to use for everyday document creation and editing tasks

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my macros running properly but not showing up in Customize Keyboard?

Macros stored in a globally loaded template (such as one placed in the Startup folder) are available to run at any time. However, to assign new keyboard shortcuts, that specific template must be opened directly for editing via File > Open.

Where is the best place to save a macro so I can assign a shortcut to it?

If you want the macro and its shortcut available in all documents, save it in the Normal.dotm template. If it is only meant for a specific project, save both the macro and the shortcut in that specific macro-enabled document (.docm).

How do I change where my custom keyboard shortcut is saved?

Inside the Customize Keyboard dialog box (accessed via File > Options > Customize Ribbon), locate the 'Save changes in' dropdown menu at the bottom right. Click it to select your specific document or template instead of the default Normal template.

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