Autocorrect (specifically formatted) keeps getting lost Word 2013

Question

Word 2013 I've used autocorrect for a while now successfully. Never an issue. 

Suddenly one day all of my autocorrect entries that I customized (only formatted ones) suddenly DISAPPEARED! Not sure if this is pertinent but I was away from my computer for 2 weeks. 

Please note I've been working on the same computer, same version of word, no changes made in how i save documents, I'm flabbergasted and frustrated. PLEASE HELP me recover them!

Answer 1

Go to C:\Users<UserName>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates. That's the default save location for Normal.dotm, so that's where you should find it unless you've changed the location through File | Options | Advanced: File Locations... The location shown there should be the same as that shown at File | Options | Save: Default personal templates location.

Answer 2

Formatted AutoCorrect entries are saved in the Normal template, so it sounds as if perhaps something happened that wiped out your Normal.dotm. You could check your Templates folder to see if there is a backup of Normal.dotm (though there probably won't be unless you've enabled backups). You can at least check the date on the current file. If there is no backup, you may have to recreate the AutoCorrect entries and other personalizations that were stored in Normal.dotm (which is why it's a good idea to have a copy stored elsewhere).

Answer 3

When you're backing up documents to the external drive, just be sure to include Normal.dotm (at least every time you have modified it).

Answer 4

I will have to recreate the autocorrect entries because apparently they're lost.

How should I save my documents in the future? Step by step please, tysm

(I'm not sure if this info is relevant but I typically save my word documents in an external hard-drive .docx)

Answer 5

Pardon my ignorance, I may need you to walk me through this process that you advise me above... Hoping it can help!