About inserting frequently used text and graphics

To store and quickly insert text, graphics, and other items that you use frequently, you can use AutoText. Microsoft Word comes with a number of built-in AutoText entries, such as salutations and closings for letters, and you can create your own AutoText entries.

For example, if you use the same lengthy disclaimer in each monthly report and don't want to retype it every month, you can create an AutoText entry for the disclaimer.

Inserting AutoText entries

You can use the AutoComplete feature to insert an AutoText entry. When you type the first few characters of an entry's name in your document, Word displays a ScreenTip, at which point you can insert or ignore the entry.

If you send e-mail messages using Microsoft Outlook and use Word as your default e-mail editor, you can insert the name of individuals you've recently sent e-mail messages to by typing the first few characters of their name in your document.

You can also insert an AutoText entry by selecting it from a list of entries on the AutoText toolbar, from the AutoText menu (click AutoText on the Insert menu), or by using the AutoText dialog box (click AutoText on the Insert menu, and then click AutoText).

Entries are divided by categories such as Closing or Salutation on both the AutoText toolbar and the AutoText menu.

The entries you create will usually appear in the Normal category. When you create an AutoText entry, it's automatically linked to the paragraph style of the text or graphic you used to create the entry. The style is what Word uses to determine which category the new entry appears in.

For example, if your report's disclaimer has the Normal style, Word links the AutoText entry to the Normal style and it appears in the Normal category.