Return Address Isn't Saved

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated November 2, 2019)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Word in Microsoft 365


2

Ed is having a problem getting Word to remember the return address for envelopes. He can set the address just fine, but when he closes Word and restarts the program, the return address is deleted. Ed can't figure out why this is happening.

Let's take a look at where many people enter a return address. They do it as they are creating the envelope, using the Envelopes and Labels dialog box. (You open this dialog box by displaying the Mailings tab of the ribbon and then clicking the Envelopes tool in the Create box.) (See Figure 1.)

Figure 1. The Envelopes tab of the Envelopes and Labels dialog box.

Notice that you can, near the bottom-left of the dialog box, enter a return address for your envelope. The important thing to remember is that this address is a temporary return address; it is not saved when you exit Word.

So where should you set your return address, so it is remembered? Obviously, it needs to be in a different place than on the Envelopes and Labels dialog box. Here's how to do it:

  1. Display the Word Options dialog box. (In Word 2007 click the Office button and then click Word Options. In Word 2010 and later versions display the File tab of the ribbon and then click Options.)
  2. At the left side of the dialog box click Advanced.
  3. Scroll through the options available until you see the General section. (See Figure 2.)
  4. Figure 2. The General options of the Word Options dialog box.

  5. In the Mailing Address box, enter your return address.
  6. Click OK.

That's it. The next time you display the Envelopes and Labels dialog box, this return address should be displayed automatically in the Return Address area. You can change it on that dialog box if you want (or even click the Omit check box) but remember that those changes are temporary in nature. Any persistent changes need to be made by following the above steps.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (13694) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Word in Microsoft 365.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Converting WordPerfect Labels to Word

If you are relatively new to Word from the WordPerfect world, you may have a bunch of labels in a WordPerfect document ...

Discover More

Reusing a Bookmark

Bookmarks in Word are just like bookmarks used in paper books, any given bookmark may be reused to mark a new location. ...

Discover More

When to Hyphenate Your Document

Want to add a finishing touch to your printed document? Hyphenating the words in the document can make your text read ...

Discover More

Learning Made Easy! Quickly teach yourself how to format, publish, and share your content using Word 2013. With Step by Step, you set the pace, building and practicing the skills you need, just when you need them! Check out Microsoft Word 2013 Step by Step today!

More WordTips (ribbon)

Changing the Default Font for Envelopes

When you create an envelope, Word assumes you want to use the font it has decided should be used for the envelope. If you ...

Discover More

Increasing Envelope Address Lines

Envelopes in Word are created through the use of styles that define specific elements of the envelope, such as return ...

Discover More

Multiple Envelopes in One Document

Want to save a bunch of envelopes in a single document so that you can print them all out as a group? Here's how to ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is four less than 7?

2020-02-07 13:25:14

Michael Amador

Nice Try Allen, but that also does not work. After closing and re-opening the address is removed.


2019-11-05 10:21:57

Kim

How do you make the return address and delivery address keep a certain font?? Like, I can have my delivery address typed out in Times New Roman, I cut it, paste it into the delivery address box and when it pastes, it comes out in Calibri. Same for the return address, I have it correctly like in your instructions, but in the Advanced Options area, it won't let me change fonts. So I change it in the Mailings - envelopes/labels tab, but it never keeps the right font. Any suggestions???


This Site

Got a version of Word that uses the ribbon interface (Word 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the menu interface.

Videos
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.