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How to Fix Word for Mac AutoCorrect Settings Not Saving
Question details
Word for Mac AutoCorrect preferences fail to save and reset every time the application is closed.
- Product
- Microsoft Word for Mac
- Device & OS
- Mac
- Scenario
- Trying to configure and maintain persistent AutoCorrect rules in Microsoft Word for Mac.
- Observed behavior
- Word resets all custom AutoCorrect preferences to their default state after the application is closed and reopened.
Ensure all Microsoft Office applications are completely closed before navigating to your Library folder to modify system preference or template files.
Reset Word Template and Preference Files
Removing potentially corrupted template and preference files forces Word to generate fresh configuration files upon restart, which often resolves saving issues.
On macOS, Microsoft Word relies on specific background files to store custom settings, including AutoCorrect rules. If these files become corrupted or locked, your settings will not persist between sessions.
Quit Microsoft Word and any other Microsoft Office applications that are currently running on your Mac.
Open Finder, press Shift+Command+G, and enter the path: ~/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/User Content/Templates. Find the file named 'Normal.dotm' and move it to your Desktop.
In Finder, press Shift+Command+G again and enter the path: ~/Library/Containers/Microsoft Word/Data/Library/Preferences. Locate the file 'com.microsoft.Word.plist' and move it to your Desktop.
Restart your Mac. Open Microsoft Word, configure an AutoCorrect setting, close the application, and reopen it to verify if the setting has saved successfully.
Try WPS Office for Mac as a Reliable Alternative
If Microsoft Word continues to struggle with saving your preferences, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and user-friendly word processing experience for Mac users without recurring configuration bugs.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free version designed specifically for macOS.
- 2. Install and Open: Run the installer, then open WPS Writer to begin drafting your documents.
- 3. Customize Settings: Navigate to the WPS Office Preferences menu to reliably configure your AutoCorrect options and custom dictionaries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Word for Mac keep resetting my AutoCorrect preferences?
This usually happens due to a corrupted Normal.dotm global template or a corrupted com.microsoft.Word.plist preference file located in your Mac's hidden Library folder.
Will moving Normal.dotm delete my existing macros or custom styles?
Yes, moving or deleting the Normal template will reset any custom styles and macros stored within it. Moving it to the Desktop instead of deleting it allows you to restore the file later if needed.
How do I access the hidden Library folder on a Mac?
Open Finder, click the 'Go' menu at the top of the screen, hold down the Option (Alt) key to reveal the hidden 'Library' option, and click it to access your user Library directory.
What should I do if clearing preferences doesn't fix the issue?
If the problem persists after resetting preference files, it might be an unresolved bug in your current version of Office. Check for any pending Microsoft Office updates, or contact Microsoft Support to escalate the issue.
