I have been using the AutoCorrect.dotm utility to Back up and Restore my MSO1033.acl Autocorrect file.. Is it possible to make edits in the Backup docx file, and then restore?

Question

The reason I ask is that I have successfully made minor edits (changing the spelling of a word) and that was OK when I restored.

However, I just did a more major edit and using the Word Table functions, deleted a number of rows from the Backup .docx file.  However, when I tried to restore this file, it did not restore.

There was no error message.  The progress bar completed, but when I examined the cutocorrects in the Word form, it was clear that there had been no change produced by the restore.

Have you any advice please?

Answer 1

Hi Lewis,

The revised AutoCorrect2007.zip file is now on my website at https://jay-freedman.info/.

The Restore section first adds any new entries from the backup document to the AutoCorrect list. Then it makes a second pass (unfortunately, it's several times slower than the first) looking for entries that exist in the list but are not in the backup table. The first time it finds one, a message box asks whether you want to delete entries -- if you didn't intentionally edit the backup, click No. If you click Yes, it takes that as permission to delete all unmatched entries from that point forward.

There is an oddity that I can't quite explain: If you look at the AutoCorrect dialog while the AutoCorrect.dotm file is still open, the allegedly deleted entries will still be in the list. Once you close that file, the entries will be gone.

I'd love to see your giant list of typos. You can send it to either of the addresses shown at https://jay-freedman.info/contact/contact.htm. (This forum automatically deletes email addresses from posts, but URLs are OK.)

Answer 2

By design (mine!), the AutoCorrect backup/restore NEVER deletes any entries. It does replace old values of existing entries with new values if they've been changed in the backup document, but removing entries from the document has no effect.

I could add that feature if you'd find it useful. As a safety measure, I would include a popup when the first possible deletion is found, asking for permission to proceed. If you click Yes, then all deletions would be enabled; if you click No, then no deletions would be done. I'd also recommend that you create a backup copy of the old backup document before you edit it, in case you want some of those deleted items returned.

Answer 3

Thanks much.  I will try it out and get u feedback

Answer 4

I would be very greatful if you could add that feature.  For what I am doing, I want to replace one version with another.

Another use I want to make of that feature is this:

Somehow, I inadvertantly created two autocorrects:

's changes to 'a

;s changes to 'a

I want to delete them but I cannot find them by scrolling through the Word Autocorrect form.  So I thought that I would start with my autocorrect file and divide it into two halves.  Then restore each half separately and determine which half the problem corrections are in.  Then take that half and split it, and do the same.  In a few tries I will locate the problem autocorrect entries.

Thanks so much.  I can't tell you how much your help has meant to me.  I have developed a really useful add-in ap for Word what literally corrects the most common typos and spelling errors.  I have been researching this for 4 years as I am dyslexic and having to use Spell Check so often really slows me down.  I have identified over 15,000 of the most common errors which is about 93% of all errors made.  I have 9,500 in the Beta Version now.  We are going to publish this in a month or two and give it free to all dyslexic students and charge maybe $3.50 for an annual subscription.

I would love to send you a Beta Version if you would send me your e-mail address. Mine ia ******@bea-enterprises.com.  If the Microsoft Community does not allow e-mail to be exchanged, I could send you a url to access my OneDrive.

When we do publish this, you are getting honorary Subscription Number 1