The Problem:
I've built a great AutoCorrect listbut now I've got a new computer that doesn't have it. How can I transfer the entries?
The Solution:
There are several possible fixes here. Word stores your AutoCorrect entries in two locations:
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Unformatted AutoCorrect entries are stored in a text file with an .ACL extension in the Application Data\Microsoft\Office folder in your user profile. (To open a Windows Explorer window to the folder, choose Start » Run, type %userprofile%\Application Data\Microsoft\Office, and then press Enter.) The file is named MSOnnnn.ACL, where nnnn matches the code for the language you're using. For U.S. English, the code is 1033, so the file is named MSO1033.ACL.
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Formatted AutoCorrect entries are stored in Normal.dot, which is in your user templates folder. (If you're not sure where your user templates folder is, choose Tools » Options, click the File Locations tab, and check the "User templates" readout.)
Once you know that, you can simply copy the .ACL file and Normal.dot to the appropriate folders on your new computer. That works fine, but there are three alternatives:
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Use the AutoCorrect Backup macro in Support.dot, a template included with a full installation of Office. (This template should be in the Macros folder in the Office folderfor example, C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office11\Macros. If you can't find it, choose Start » Search and search for it. Double-click Support.dot to open a new document based on it, click the AutoCorrect Backup button, and follow the instructions for creating a backup copy of your AutoCorrect entries. On your new computer, open a new document based on Support.dot, click the AutoCorrect Backup button, click the Restore button, and then follow the procedure for restoring your AutoCorrect entries. This method is simple, but sadly it isn't foolproof: some complex AutoCorrect entries can cause the macros to fail.
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Use the Save My Settings Wizard to save your Word settings and key files to a shared location and then restore them on your new computer.
If a search doesn't find Support.dot, install it: choose Start » Control Panel » Add or Remove Programs, select the Office item, and click the Change button. Select the Add or Remove Features option. In Office 2003, check the "Allow advanced customization of applications" box. Expand the Word item and the Wizards and Templates item under it, then click the More Templates and Macros item and choose "Run from My Computer." Finish the installation routine. You may need to provide your Office CD if the installation files aren't cached on your computer.
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Use the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard (Start » All Programs » Accessories » System Tools » Files and Settings Transfer Wizard) to transfer all (or most) of your Windows application settings from one installation of Windows to another.
