How to Use AutoText in Microsoft Word

Make it easier to retype text you constantly use in your documents

What to Know

  • To use predefined AutoText, select the Insert tab. In the Text group, select Quick Parts > AutoText. Choose a predefined AutoText entry.
  • To add a dateline, go to Insert > Date and Time and choose a template.
  • To create your own entry, select the text for the snippet, press Alt+F3. Fill out the Create New Building Block dialog box and select OK.

This article explains how to use AutoText, which is an easy way to speed up document creation in Microsoft Word. Use AutoText to automatically insert predefined text in documents such as datelines, salutations, and more. Instructions cover Word 2019 through 2007, and Word for Microsoft 365.

How to Use Word's Existing AutoText Entries

Word includes some predefined AutoText entries. Insert your name or a dateline, for example. Here's how:

  1. Select the Insert tab.

    Microsoft Word with the Insert heading highlighted
  2. In the Text group, select Quick Parts > AutoText.

    Autotext command in Word
  3. Select one of the predefined AutoText entries to add it to your document.

  4. To add a dateline, go to Insert > Date and Time and choose a template.

    Word with the Date & Time command in the Insert tab highlighted
Lifewire / Lisa Fasol  

How to Create Your Own AutoText Entry

If the predefined AutoText entries don't suit your needs, create your own entries and insert these entries into documents. Here's how:

  1. Select the text in your document you want to make into a reusable snippet.

    Word document with text highlighted
  2. Press Alt+F3.

  3. Fill out the information in the Create New Building Block dialog box. You can leave most of the default options as-is, but give the AutoText entry a unique and descriptive name.

    the Create New Building Block options in Word 365
  4. Select OK.

  5. The new AutoText entry is available to add to your document.

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