Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016. If you are using an earlier version (Word 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Word, click here: Setting the Return Address Used in Word.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated December 9, 2021)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016
Every time Vicki opens Word to make an envelope, her return address is empty even though she asks Word to save the return address every time. The return address is retained for the current session, but as soon as Vicki exits Word it goes away and is blank the next time she starts the program.
The proper way to set the return address and make it stick is to follow these steps:
Figure 1. The General section of the advanced options of the Word Options dialog box.
Whenever you want to print an envelope, your return address (the one you entered will appear as the default. If this does not work, it could be that you have a corrupted document template. Outside of Word (in Windows) locate and rename the Normal template to something else, such as OldNormal. Restart Word, follow the steps outlined above, and try to print your envelopes.
If this still doesn't work for you, then it could be that you have a more serious corruption problem. You can find a good description of how to track down and fix any corruption problems here:
http://windowssecrets.com/forums/showthread.php/32641
Even though this website refers to older versions of Word, the concept is still applicable to newer versions.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (6700) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Setting the Return Address Used in Word.
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2022-07-06 19:41:58
Mike
Looking for a way to automate the mailing address across all computers for the company. Do you know where Word stores the Mailing Address info? Is it somewhere in the registry?
2022-04-05 10:13:48
Robb Campbell
That's great, and you're great.
I think with all of these envelope options (from the envelope dialog), and not just the return address, what people want to know is whether their changes apply to (1) this printing, (2) this document, (3) new documents from the the normal template, and/or (4) any document from now on? In other words, if we move or change our font, do I have to change all of my old documents?
And, in this regard, is the return address different from other envelope settings like, say, font size? Is the return address more global than font size?
Seven years and the envelope dialog still confounds me. Thanks!
2021-01-05 16:40:40
Leanne
Hi there,
I have tried to go through this process using your tips and I have not been successful. When I would start up Word again and clicked the envelope tab, my return address was gone.
I did have a work around, by adding my firms address as a contact but this is a timely thing and we need it to be more efficient and have the return address permanently show up.
I have been prompted to save the new address as the new default address and every time it tends to disappear on me.
I did notice that you mention there might be a problem with my Normal Doc. but that was not the case I noticed.
Do you have any solutions to my problem?
Thank you
2017-12-28 16:31:09
Melinda
This is great, however, I wonder if there is a limit to how many characters or words can be used...? My return address is five lines as I have to list a couple of different departments, etc. and it always omits the zip code on the fifth line. I ask word to save the new default address every time and it is still omitted. Any suggestions? Thank you!
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Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016. If you are using an earlier version (Word 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Word, click here:
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