Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated January 4, 2023)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016
One of the properties that Word allows you to save with a document is a title for the document. If you use this property regularly with your new documents, you can create a way for Word to automatically name your document by looking at the title you provided.
This particular macro is well suited for use with letters, although it could be easily modified for other types of documents. The macro is named FileSaveAs, so it replaces the built-in Save As command. The best place to save this macro is in the template you use for your letters:
Sub FileSaveAs() Dim MyDocTitle As String MyDocTitle = Format(Date, "yymmdd") + " letter" Selection.HomeKey Unit:=wdStory Selection.Find.ClearFormatting With Selection.Find .Text = "^pDear " .Replacement.Text = "" .Forward = True .Wrap = wdFindContinue .Format = False .MatchCase = False .MatchWholeWord = False .MatchWildcards = False .MatchSoundsLike = False .MatchAllWordForms = False End With Selection.Find.Execute If Selection.Find.Found Then Selection.MoveRight Unit:=wdCharacter, Count:=1 Selection.EndKey Unit:=wdLine, Extend:=wdExtend Selection.MoveLeft Unit:=wdCharacter, Count:=2, Extend:=wdExtend If Len(Selection.Text) > 1 Then MyDocTitle = MyDocTitle + " to " + Selection.Text End If End If With Dialogs(wdDialogFileSummaryInfo) .Title = MyDocTitle .Execute End With Dialogs(wdDialogFileSaveAs).Show End Sub
Note that this macro only works properly when you are first saving a new document. If you use it with an existing document (one previously saved under a different name), the original name is still suggested as the default in the Save As dialog box, even though the document title is modified.
The macro can be assigned to the Quick Access Toolbar or a shortcut key so you can save your documents and name them automatically.
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 (10358) 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: An Automatic File Name.
Comprehensive VBA Guide Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) is the language used for writing macros in all Office programs. This complete guide shows both professionals and novices how to master VBA in order to customize the entire Office suite for their needs. Check out Mastering VBA for Office 2010 today!
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2021-10-26 07:48:02
Jayjay
Nope, this one doesn't work
2017-10-16 15:08:34
Haseeb
Hi, this is most helpful!
However, I'd like to insert characters such as parentheses "(" and dashes "-". But the generated title stops just before the first such character.
Is it possible to insert such characters without bugging the macro?
2017-07-25 13:14:08
Jamies Benson
I believe following a recent update, MS Office has appended a date and time to every file (document, spreadsheet, etc), and is creating a new file with a new date and time after every change and save. How do I shut this off?
2017-01-29 02:47:53
Jaleel
What about if i need to save multiple documents on the same day. What is the code
2016-02-22 09:56:02
I have a question about the rules Word uses to create an automatic title for a new document. I often create documents that have a title (e.g., McInery review 2-22-16), and Word creates an automatic title that stops at the first hypen (e.g., McInery review 2). Is there a way to get Word to use the whole first line of the document even if it has punctuation like hyphens in it, or, more simply, to include hyphens as text?
Thanks,
Paul
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