Inserting Auto Text - File Name

[marysolomon]

Operating System: Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard) I want to insert the File Name of a document in the footer. I click on Insert, Auto Text and it only brings up Auto Text. It does NOT bring up all the wonderful PAGE possibilities that are shown on the video. HELP!!!

Mary Solomon

 

[CyberTaz]

At the very least we need to know what version of the program -- Word, I
assume -- you're using & preferably your current update level.

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[CyberTaz]

As a guess, The content in the Insert> AutoText menu is context-sensitive.
If you're seeing such items as 'Attention Line', 'Closing', etc. it's
because you are not in the Header or Footer as instructed at the beginning
of the video. Once actually in the Header or Footer the content of the menu
changes to list what I believe you're looking for: '-Page-', 'Author, Page
#, Date', etc.

Those same items are still available when not in the Header or Footer but
you have to point to the 'Header/Footer' listing. If you select something,
though, it will be inserted in the document itself wherever your insertion
point is, not in the Header or Footer.

If that isn't the solution you need reply with the additional info requested
as well as exactly what does appear in the menu you're seeing.

HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[CyberTaz]

In the Help menu of any Office app you'll find "Check for Updates". It
launches the MS AutoUpdate app which you can set to periodically run
automatically -- I suggest Monthly or Weekly.

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[marysolomon]

I am definitely in the Header/Footer area when requesting Insert and then Auto Text.
The words Auto Text have periods after them meaning - more to follow - I click on Auto Text and the only thing that comes up is Auto Correct and things to check off for that procedure. Nothing about Attention Line or Pages or any other options. I tried in various parts of the document and the same holds true. In the main body I do not get Attention Line etc. and in the Footer area I do not get Page selection.
Only thing that comes after Auto Text is Auto Correct in any part of the document.
Also, I did look for updates and I am fine and now know where to go to do that. They are scheduled on a daily basis.
So, it appears that the Auto Text feature for insertions is not working in any place of the document.
Help is needed!
Thanks.

 

[Rob Schneider]

Mary,

I have no experience with the technique you are trying to use.

What I do with consistent success is to put the cursor where I want the
file name, and then Menu: Insert/Field, Category: (Document Information
or All), Fieldname: Filename. Note there is an Options button to
control formatting and whether the full path is inserted.


--rms

www.rmschneider.com

 

[CyberTaz]

OK, this is the type of detail we need in order to narrow things down It
does sound like there is a problem with the Menu, itself. The first
corrective measure to try is relatively simple:

1- Go to View> Customize Menus & Toolbars, Toolbars page
2- Click on the name of the 'Menu Bar' then click the 'Reset' button
3- Click 'OK', then Quit Word

See whether the menu is put right once you launch Word again. If not there
are additional steps to take, but that often corrects such issues. Just
avoid any temptation to "re-install Office" -- that frequently causes more
problems than it cures & just wastes a lot of time.

Should that not correct the menu, launch Word while holding the Shift key &
indicate when you reply whether the menu is filled in... But that isn't a
'fix', it's just a troubleshooting technique.

HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[marysolomon]

OMG - a bit of success
The second thing you had me do did, in fact, bring up the stuff I was looking for.
The first thing - the reset - did nothing.
BUT - the thing about holding the Shift key and opening Word did work.
Since this was a "troubleshooting" thing - not a "fix" - what's next?

Mary

OK, this is the type of detail we need in order to narrow things down It

 

[CyberTaz]

Good work -- that suggests that the problem arises from a corrupt/damaged
preference list file... Something Word will be happy to recreate for you.

Quit any Office apps that might be running, then navigate in Finder to:

User/Library/Preferences/

Locate & remove the file: com.microsoft.Word.plist

Launch Word as normal & see if that doesn't rectify the Menu. If it does you
can delete the old .plist file although you may have to reset some of the
Word Preferences. (If this doesn't fix the problem you can put the old file
back to replace the new one if you wish -- but if you haven't changed many
of Word's Preferences it probably isn't worth the time.)

Reply with your results.

HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[marysolomon]

Thanks so much for your response. What you suggested did work. I will definitely keep it in mind. You might want to check out the other things you can insert if your Word is working properly. It's pretty nice. I hope I'm on track for having mine fixed. Glad to know there is a way to work around adding the file name. Glad you mentioned about the Options for the Full Path.
Mary

 

[marysolomon]

Oh drat it.
The "fix" did not fix it.
In the body of the document it did bring up two items - Reference Initials and Signature - but none of the others.
In the Header and Footer Area - it did not bring up anything.

In fact, now when I do Shift and start Word - that is all that it does. Now, it does not bring up those other choices.

By the way, when I did the following:
"Locate & remove the file: com.microsoft.Word.plist"
I actually deleted it to remove it. I am assuming it is in my trash or something in case I need it again????

What's next???

Mary

 

[CyberTaz]

Sorry it didn't work out but we've got some other options to pursue. You
really don't have to worry about the old file. As long as it's in the Trash
it can be recovered but you shouldn't need it. Apparently it wasn't entirely
responsible for the faulty menu but it probably was a contributor.

Now that you have a new .plist generated try this: Go to View> Customize
Toolbars & Menus. On the Toolbars page click the name of the Menu Bar then
click the Reset button. Once you OK out of the dialog, Quit & launch Word.

If it's still being stubborn you can take the next step. Quit Word then go
to: User/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/Office/User Templates.

Remove or rename the file called 'Normal.dotm', then launch Word & see if
this doesn't put it right. Let us know how it goes.

HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[marysolomon]

Well, we did it!!!!!!
You are THE greatest.
Thank you ever so much.
Since this was my first time using this forum.....for the future - what do I do or how do I access and for what types of problems, etc.

Again, I can't thank you enough for your time and helpfulness. I am so very appreciative.

Mary

 

[CyberTaz]

You're most welcome. As a benefit to others who may have a similar
occurrence, which specific measure actually fixed the problem in your case?

For the occasional visit you can just return to the Mactopia Forums & post
your question through the web interface. If you intend to spend any amount
of time here, though, you'll be much more comfortable using a newsreader &
subscribing to the groups you frequent. Entourage serves well for that
purpose although other apps are available if you have specific requirements.

http://www.entourage.mvps.org/support_options/subnews.html

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[marysolomon]

Bob,

It was the last suggestion that you had made that was the "fixer."

It was this one -

"> If it's still being stubborn you can take the next step. Quit Word then go

> to: User/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/Office/User Templates.
>
> Remove or rename the file called 'Normal.dotm', then launch Word & see if
> this doesn't put it right. Let us know how it goes."

At the time I did this, I did have a question as to which Normal to use - one had the word Microsoft in parentheses. I chose the on without the word Microsoft - written exactly how you had written it.

Does the forum also answer questions on how to use the products - not just how to repair/fix things? Are you volunteers or employees? What is an MVP? Am I correct that this area is just for Mac users?

Again, my most profuse thanks for your help and patience and clarity.

Mary Solomon

You're most welcome. As a benefit to others who may have a similar
> occurrence, which specific measure actually fixed the problem in your case?
>
> For the occasional visit you can just return to the Mactopia Forums & post
> your question through the web interface. If you intend to spend any amount
> of time here, though, you'll be much more comfortable using a newsreader &
> subscribing to the groups you frequent. Entourage serves well for that
> purpose although other apps are available if you have specific requirements.
>
> http://www.entourage.mvps.org/support_options/subnews.html
>
> Regards |:>)
> Bob Jones
> [MVP] Office:Mac
>
>
> On 4/22/10 11:13 PM, in article [email protected]2ac0,
> "[email protected]" wrote:
>

> > Well, we did it!!!!!!
> > You are THE greatest.
> > Thank you ever so much.
> > Since this was my first time using this forum.....for the future - what do I
> > do or how do I access and for what types of problems, etc.
> >
> > Again, I can't thank you enough for your time and helpfulness. I am so very
> > appreciative.
> >
> > Mary

>
>