Recover Missing WPS Writer Macros After Restarting Windows
Question details
The user needs to recover recorded WPS Writer macros that disappear from new documents after a Windows restart and resolve a Macro Settings error that prevents the macros from running.
- Product
- WPS Office Writer
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- The user recorded macros and expected them to remain available in new documents after restarting the computer.
- Observed behavior
- Macros appear on the ribbon, but a Macro Settings error blocks execution, and the macros are not available in new documents after restart.
Close all WPS Office windows before editing the global template. In WPS Writer, note the user template location under Menu > Options > File Locations, and make a copy of Normal.dotm so you can restore it if the template is damaged.
Restore and Save the WPS Writer Normal.dotm Template
Use this first if your recorded macros are saved in the Normal.dotm template and disappear after Windows restarts.
WPS Writer stores recorded macros in the global Normal.dotm template. If this file is not saved correctly or becomes damaged, macros may still appear on the ribbon but fail to run in new documents.
Close all WPS Writer windows and any Office background processes.
Open WPS Writer, click Menu > Options > File Locations, and note the path shown for User templates. Then open that folder in File Explorer.
Right-click Normal.dotm, open it in WPS Writer, and press Alt+F11 to open the VBA editor. Confirm that your macros are listed under the Normal project.
Close the VBA editor, click Save in WPS Writer, and close the template.
Restart WPS Writer, create a new document, and run the macro to confirm it is restored.
Change WPS Trust Center Macro Settings to Allow Trusted Macros
Use this when macros are visible but a Macro Settings error prevents them from running.
Use AutoText or AutoCorrect for Reusable Text Snippets Instead of Macros
Choose this when the macros mainly insert text and you want a more stable alternative that does not depend on the Normal.dotm macro project.
Recover Missing Macros in WPS Office Writer
Use WPS Office Writer to locate and repair the Normal.dotm template, adjust Trust Center macro settings, and restore trusted macros without switching to Microsoft Word.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download WPS Office from the official website and open WPS Writer.
- 2. Check template locations: Click Menu > Options > File Locations to find the user template folder for Normal.dotm.
- 3. Review macro settings: Open Menu > Options > Trust Center > Macro Settings and enable macros only for trusted files.
- 4. Repair the Normal.dotm template: Open Normal.dotm, verify the macros in the VBA editor, save the template, and restore a known-good copy if it is damaged.
- 5. Verify in a new document: Restart WPS Writer and create a new document to confirm the macros run after restart.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are recorded macros stored in WPS Writer?
Recorded macros are normally stored in the global Normal.dotm template. You can find the exact folder under Menu > Options > File Locations in WPS Writer.
Why do my macros appear on the ribbon but still show a Macro Settings error?
This usually means the Normal.dotm template is damaged or the Trust Center macro policy is blocking execution. Check the template for missing macros and set Macro Settings to allow trusted files only.
How can I restore a corrupted Normal.dotm template?
Close WPS Office, open the user template folder from Menu > Options > File Locations, and replace Normal.dotm with a known-good Normal.bak or a backup copy. Then reopen WPS Writer and test.
Should I use macros for reusable text snippets?
Usually not. For plain text, AutoText or AutoCorrect entries are more stable and easier to manage. Use macros for repeated actions or formatting tasks instead.
How do I enable macros only for trusted files in WPS Office?
In WPS Writer, go to Menu > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Macro Settings, select Enable macros only for trusted files, and add your template folder to Trusted Locations.
