Data Backup Problems

How to Back Up Word Normal.dotm and AutoCorrect Entries

WPS Content Manager Oct 1, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users need a reliable way to back up custom AutoCorrect entries and Word's Normal.dotm template to avoid losing years of personalized configurations when migrating to a new computer.

How to Back Up Word Normal.dotm and AutoCorrect Entries

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Migrating Microsoft Office settings to a new PC or creating a routine backup of application configurations.
Observed behavior: During machine replacement, custom plain-text, formatted, and math AutoCorrect entries are lost if the specific template and ACL files are not manually transferred.

Before you start

Since Microsoft Office configuration folders are usually hidden, ensure that 'Hidden items' is checked in your Windows File Explorer View settings so you can access the AppData directory.

Solution 1Recommended

Manually Back Up Normal.dotm and ACL Files

Locate and copy the specific Office configuration files from your Windows user profile to a secure backup drive.

Microsoft Word stores plain-text AutoCorrect entries in language-specific ACL files (shared across Office apps) and formatted entries in the Normal.dotm template. Math AutoCorrect entries are kept in a separate file (MSO0127).

Locate plain-text AutoCorrect files

Open Windows File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users\<UserName>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Office. Look for your language-specific ACL file, such as MSO1033.acl for U.S. English.

Locate the Normal.dotm template

Navigate to the Templates folder, usually found at C:\Users\<UserName>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates. Here you will find the Normal.dotm file which contains your formatted AutoCorrect entries.

Find Math AutoCorrect entries

In the same Office folder where you found the ACL file, locate the MSO0127 file to back up your Math AutoCorrect configurations.

Copy files to a backup location

Select the ACL file, the Normal.dotm template, and the MSO0127 file. Copy and paste them into an external USB drive or a secure cloud storage folder for safe keeping.

Manually Back Up Normal.dotm and ACL Files

AutoSave is not a configuration backup: Do not rely solely on Word's AutoSave feature. AutoSave protects document content from crashes but does not substitute for a complete backup of your Office user-profile configurations.

Solution 2

Use Third-Party AutoCorrect Utility Macros

Use specialized macro templates to automatically extract and export your AutoCorrect dictionary.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for a Lightweight and Seamless Writing Experience

If you are switching to a new computer and want to avoid complex configuration backups, consider WPS Office. It delivers a fast, resource-friendly editing suite with excellent format compatibility and straightforward settings management.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free WPS Office suite on your new computer.
2. Open WPS Writer: Launch WPS Writer to enjoy a clean, tabbed interface familiar to users of Microsoft Word.
3. Configure your dictionary: Navigate to Menu > Options > Spell Check to quickly add and manage your custom auto-replace and AutoCorrect entries.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Word document formats (.docx, .doc, .dotm).Lightweight installation that runs smoothly even on older computers.Free to use with built-in PDF editing and reliable cloud syncing.Intuitive settings interface making custom AutoCorrect setups easier to manage.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my formatted AutoCorrect entries missing after copying the ACL file?

Formatted AutoCorrect entries are strictly stored in Word's Normal.dotm template, not in the language-specific ACL files. You must back up and transfer both the ACL file and the Normal.dotm file to completely restore all custom entries.

Where can I find the Word Math AutoCorrect entries on Windows?

Math AutoCorrect entries are generally stored in the MSO0127 file. This file is located in the same directory as your standard ACL files, typically at C:\Users\<UserName>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Office.

Does Microsoft Word have a built-in button to export AutoCorrect settings?

No, Microsoft Word currently lacks a single built-in feature to export all AutoCorrect configurations. Users must either manually copy the configuration files from the AppData folder or use third-party macros. You can suggest this feature by navigating to File > Feedback > Send a Suggestion.

Can I use AutoSave to backup my Word configuration files?

No. AutoSave is designed exclusively to save active document content to OneDrive or SharePoint to prevent data loss during unexpected software closures. It does not back up your local software configurations, custom templates, or dictionaries.

Migration & Recovery