Autocorrect export file to use with new install

Question

I exported the autocorrect settings from an old computer

and copied them into C:\Users<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Office

on the new computer with no success in using the exported files.

these are the files:

MSO0127.acl (math AutoCorrect)

MSO1033.acl (United States; English)

Help!

Thanks, Rick

Answer 1

Hi Rick,

If you still have access to the original computer, download and use Jay Freedman's AutoCorrectWithMath utility from his page: https://jay-freedman.info/

Here is my writing on how to backup/move/copy AutoCorrect entries: https://www.addbalance.com/word/movetotemplate.htm#not_stored

The acl files are language-specific. The MSO1033.acl file is for English US.

These are stored in %APPDATA%/Roaming\Microsoft\Office\
https://www.msofficeforums.com/word/13675-word-2007-later-key-data-file-locations.html\

Formatted AutoCorrect Entries are stored in the Normal.dotm template.

Jay's free utility will allow you to store all of these in a Word document and then restore them in a different location to the proper files automatically.

Answer 2

AutoCorrect entries are stored in language‑dependent .acl files and in the Normal template, and both parts must be present and loaded correctly for all entries to appear.

From the context:

• Unformatted AutoCorrect entries are in .acl files such as MSO1033.acl (English) and MSO0127.acl (Math AutoCorrect) under the user profile.
• Formatted AutoCorrect entries are stored in the Normal template (Normal.dotm).

To make the exported files work on the new installation, follow these steps:

1. Close Word and all other Office apps on the new computer.
2. Confirm the target folder is correct for the signed‑in user:
   • C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Office
     (this is the same as %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Office).
3. Copy the .acl files into that folder, overwriting any existing MSO1033.acl and MSO0127.acl for that user.
4. Start Word again and test unformatted AutoCorrect entries (plain text replacements). Those are the ones stored in the .acl files.

If formatted AutoCorrect entries (with fonts, bold, etc.) are missing, also move the Normal template:

1. On the old computer, in File Explorer go to:
   C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates
2. Copy Normal.dotm to removable media.
3. On the new computer, close all Office apps.
4. Go to:
   C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates
5. Rename the existing Normal.dotm to Normal.bak.
6. Copy the old Normal.dotm into this folder.
7. Start Word and test formatted AutoCorrect entries.

If there are multiple languages in use, ensure the corresponding MSO<LanguageID>.acl files from the old machine are also copied into %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Office on the new machine.

As an alternative and to simplify backup/restore across machines and versions, the AutoCorrect2007 utility (AutoCorrect.dotm) referenced in the context can be used to export all AutoCorrect entries to a Word document on the old machine and then restore them on the new machine.

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References:

• How to move AutoCorrect entries in Word 2007 from one computer to another computer
• Quick start guide to Math AutoCorrect commands and symbols
• Can I migrate my AutoCorrect list from one computer to another? - Microsoft Q&A
• Merge auto-correct functions and macros from multiple desktops + backup and restore - Microsoft Q&A