Office for Mac Issues

How to Find Quick Parts and AutoText in Word for Mac

Phi Hung Vo Oct 8, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to locate and utilize Quick Parts and AutoText functionality in Microsoft Word on a Mac.

How to Find Quick Parts and AutoText in Word for Mac

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: Mac
Scenario: Attempting to insert pre-saved text snippets using Quick Parts or Building Blocks on macOS, similar to the Windows experience.
Observed behavior: Word for Mac does not display Quick Parts or Windows Building Blocks visually in the ribbon menus; the classic AutoText feature is present but hidden by default.

Before you start

Ensure you have Microsoft Word for Mac open and are familiar with the Quick Access Toolbar, typically located in the top-left corner of the application window.

Solution 1Recommended

Add AutoText to the Quick Access Toolbar

Since Word for Mac hides the AutoText feature by default, you can make it easily accessible by adding it directly to your Quick Access Toolbar (QAT).

Word for Mac differs from the Windows version by not fully supporting the Building Blocks gallery in the same visual interface. However, the classic AutoText engine remains fully functional once you reveal it.

Open Word Preferences

Click on the 'Word' menu at the very top of your Mac screen and select 'Preferences'.

Navigate to Ribbon & Toolbar

In the Preferences window, select 'Ribbon & Toolbar', then click on the 'Quick Access Toolbar' tab at the top.

Locate the AutoText Command

Click the 'Choose commands from' drop-down menu and select 'All Commands'. Scroll down the alphabetical list until you find 'AutoText'.

Add to Quick Access Toolbar

Select 'AutoText' and click the right-facing arrow button to add it to your active toolbar list. Click 'Save' to apply the changes.

Insert Saved Text

To use AutoText, type the first few unique characters of a saved entry, and either click the newly added AutoText button on your QAT or press your assigned keyboard shortcut to insert the full text.

Add AutoText to the Quick Access Toolbar

Assigning a Custom Shortcut: For even faster insertion, you can assign a custom keyboard shortcut to AutoText by going to Tools > Customize Keyboard and assigning a key combination to the AutoText command.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I find Building Blocks in Word for Mac?

Word for Mac relies primarily on the AutoText feature rather than the full visual Building Blocks gallery found in Word for Windows. Mac users must use AutoText to save and insert reusable content.

How do I create a new AutoText entry on a Mac?

Select the text or graphic you want to save in your document, go to Insert > AutoText > New in the top menu bar, give your entry a unique name, and click OK.

Is there a default keyboard shortcut for AutoText in Word for Mac?

By default, Word for Mac uses AutoComplete, suggesting the rest of the text when you type the first few letters (press Enter to accept). If you want a dedicated shortcut for the AutoText menu, you can manually assign one via Tools > Customize Keyboard.

Where are AutoText entries saved on a Mac?

AutoText entries in Word for Mac are typically saved in the Normal.dotm template file by default. This ensures your saved text snippets are available for all new blank documents you create on that device.

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