Transferring Macros in Word 2007

When creating a macro, you have the option to store it in the global template or in the Word 2007 document in which you are currently working. If you store it in the global template, it will be usable by any document you open in Word. However, if you store a macro in a single document only, you can still transfer that macro to other documents at a later date if needed.

In order to transfer macros from one document to another, the source document containing the original macros needs to be saved as a Microsoft Word template. To save a document in this manner, click on the Office button, select Save As, and then choose Word Template. (Click the image below for a larger view.)

With the document stored in this format, you’ll be able to transfer the embedded macros to other Word files.

Step 1: Open or create the document to which you want to add the pre-existing macros.

Step 2: Open the Developer tab on the Word ribbon, and click on Macros. If you don’t see the Developer tab, refer to Part 1 of this series to find out how to make it visible.

Step 3: Click the Organizer button in the Macros window.

Step 4: Make sure that you are on the Macro Project Items tab in the Organizer window. On the left-hand side of this window, choose the document that you want to copy the macros into from the Macro Project Items available in drop down box if it is not already selected. On the right-hand side of the window, click the Close File button. See the screenshot below for an example of this.

Step 5: The Close File button that was clicked in the previous step should now show as an Open File button.

Click the Open File button and locate the document template that contains the macros you wish to transfer to the new document.

Step 6: Select each macro that you wish to transfer and click the Copy button.

Now, the transferred macros will be present and accessible in the new document. If you want to email or share this macro with another user, make sure you save this new document as a Word template first and then distribute the template file.