Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 365. 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: Clean Up Your Macro List.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated March 27, 2026)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 365
Whenever you use the macro recorder, Word assigns it a default name based on the pattern MacroN, where N is the next available macro number. Thus, your first macro recorded would be Macro1, the second would be Macro2, and so on. (Although Word lets you pick a different name when you record the macro, it is my experience that most people do not take advantage of this for quick-and-dirty macros.)
Because of this naming practice, it is really easy to "muck up" your template with macros you no longer need. Heck, you probably can't even remember what they do! The solution to this situation is to periodically clean out your macro list. I make it a habit to always delete anything that is in this default naming sequence. Doing this periodically means that your files take less space and Word takes less time to load.
To clean out the macros list, just display the Macros dialog box (just press Alt+F8). Individually select each macro you want to delete, and then click the Delete button. When you finish deleting the generic MacroN's you should check the named macros also. Click on the Edit button and Word will go into edit mode showing you all of the macros. Scroll through and identify any you no longer need. Delete them from "Sub name()" to "End Sub". When you are done, close the dialog box.
Note:
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (9038) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 365. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Clean Up Your Macro List.
Do More in Less Time! An easy-to-understand guide to the more advanced features available in the Microsoft 365 version of Word. Enhance the quality of your documents and boost productivity in any field with this in-depth resource. Complete your Word-related tasks more efficiently as you unlock lesser-known tools and learn to quickly access the features you need. Check out Microsoft 365 Word For Professionals For Dummies today!
One way to specify word count is to count characters and divide by five. If you still need this old-fashioned way of ...
Discover MoreNeed to rename a disk file from within a macro? You can do it using the Name command, described in this tip.
Discover MoreMacros are often used to process documents, resulting in changes of one manner or another. If you need your macro to add ...
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 © 2026 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 365. 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:
Comments