Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated January 25, 2020)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021
Gay has a number of building blocks defined, all of which are stored in her Normal template. When the Normal template is replaced by her IT department, all of Gay's custom building blocks are wiped out. She wonders if there is a way to transfer building blocks from one template to another so that she can save her building blocks.
Fortunately, there is a way to do just this—use the Building Blocks Organizer (Insert | Text | Quick Parts | Building Blocks Organizer). Select the building block you want to move, click Edit Properties, and simply change the "Save In" location.
Now, that being said, there is probably an easier way to manage your building blocks. Microsoft allows building blocks to be stored in any template you desire but has designated a special template exactly for this use. Instead of storing your building blocks in the Normal template, store them in the special Building Blocks.dotx template. In order to move building blocks to this template, use the Building Block Organizer as previously noted, but change the "Save In" location to Building Blocks.dotx.
If you choose to store your Building Blocks in Building Blocks.dotx, then there is less chance for them to be overwritten when your IT department updates the Normal template. If, however, your IT department automatically replaces Building Blocks.dotx when they update your system, then you will still be left with the approach of moving individual building blocks, as described earlier. (Of course, you could avoid that problem all together if you put your Building Blocks in a custom template and make sure you attach that template to all your documents.)
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (3873) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021.
Create Custom Apps with VBA! Discover how to extend the capabilities of Office 365 applications with VBA programming. Written in clear terms and understandable language, the book includes systematic tutorials and contains both intermediate and advanced content for experienced VB developers. Designed to be comprehensive, the book addresses not just one Office application, but the entire Office suite. Check out Mastering VBA for Microsoft Office 365 today!
Building blocks can be a great asset when putting together documents, as they make inserting standardized information ...
Discover MoreNot all templates are created equal. Word uses two special templates for storing building blocks. If you want to move ...
Discover MoreGot a lot of Building Blocks defined in Word? You can back them up rather easily, but first you need to figure out where ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
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.
Visit the WordTips channel on YouTube
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments