Office for Mac Issues

Word for Mac Alternatives to Building Blocks and Quick Parts

Bushra Parveen Oct 23, 2026 868 views

Question details

Find a functional alternative for inserting reusable content on Word for Mac, as the Building Blocks Gallery and Quick Parts content controls are unavailable.

How to Use Word for Mac Alternatives to Building Blocks and Quick Parts

Product: Microsoft Word for Mac
Device & OS: Mac
Scenario: Attempting to save and insert reusable items like logos or text snippets into a document on Mac.
Observed behavior: Building Blocks Gallery and Quick Parts are missing in Word for Mac, requiring a workaround to insert reusable content.

Before you start

Ensure you have your reusable text elements or images placed in your document and appropriately formatted before saving them.

Solution 1Recommended

Use AutoText and AutoTextList Fields as an Alternative

Save your frequently used items as AutoText and use the AutoTextList field to insert them, bypassing the need for Building Blocks.

Because Word for Mac lacks native support for the Building Blocks Gallery content controls found in Windows, utilizing the AutoText feature is the most effective alternative.

Unlike Building Blocks which use categories, AutoTextList relies on the style applied to the item when it was saved. You can use default styles or create custom ones for better organization.

Select your content

Highlight the text, image, or logo in your document that you want to save as a reusable element.

Apply a specific style

Apply a distinct text style to the selected content from the Home tab. This style will act as the identifier since categories are not supported.

Save as AutoText

Navigate to Insert > AutoText > New, give your entry a name, and save it.

Insert using AutoTextList

To insert the saved item, press Cmd+F9 to create a field code, type 'AutoTextList' followed by the style name, and update the field.

Use AutoText and AutoTextList Fields as an Alternative

Cross-Platform Compatibility: AutoText entries created and saved in Word for Windows are fully compatible and will work as expected when the document is opened in Word for Mac.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I save images or logos in an AutoText field on Word for Mac?

Yes, you can select any image, logo, or standard text in your document and save it as an AutoText entry. This makes it easy to repeatedly insert graphics across different files.

Will AutoText entries created on Windows work on Mac?

Yes, items saved as AutoText on Word for Windows should generally be available and function properly when you open the same document in Word for Mac.

Does AutoTextList use categories like Quick Parts?

No, the AutoTextList field does not use the category system found in Building Blocks or Quick Parts. Instead, it relies on the specific text style applied to the item when it was saved.

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