How do I make additions to my toolbars apply to every word documen

[Paralegal]

In Microsoft Word 2003, everytime I add a button to the toolbar it is removed
after I close the document and reopen it. I did not have this problem
before, but I recently had to replace the hard drive and re-install Microsoft
Office, and now I do not know how to enable saving changes to my tool bar.
There are several features such as "page format," "envelopes and labels,"
"line spacing," that I use all the time. Before re-installing Microsoft
office I could simply click on an existing toolbar drop down menu, go to "add
or remove buttons," then "customize," and then find the button I wished to
add and drag it to the tool bar and it would be there every time I opened any
word document. Now it dissappears when I open any word document and I have
to go through the process again, and again, and again...

 

[Graham Mayor]

The functions you describe are stored in the normal template: normal.dot.
Either that file is corrupt or something is preventing you from saving it.
See http://www.gmayor.com/what_to_do_when_word_crashes.htm then
http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/AppErrors/ProblemsStartingWord.htm or
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/921541
Ensure that Word > Tools > Options > Save has the check box in the prompt to
save the normal template box. and save it when prompted on closing Word.

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Graham Mayor - Word MVP

My web site www.gmayor.com

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[DeanH]

Are the document(s) based on the normal.dot or the same template of your
creation?
Initially this appears to be that Word is not saving to the normal.dot.
Many have had problems with saving customisation, ie new icons on the
toolbar, new Autotext entries, etc.
Have you tried the Save All function after doing a customisation?
After whatever change, press Shft+File, Save All, close Word, and reopen to
see if the change has been retained.
If this works, question for you, do you have Acrobat installed?
The Acrobat addin can cause some changes not to be saved to the Normal.dot,
such as new Autotext/toolbar/menu entries, etc.
If you do have Acrobat then have a look at the webpage below, especially the
section on Add/Remove Program, Modify. I had similar problems with Customise
and Autotext/toolbar/menu, doing the following solved the problem but I also
found that if you do the instructions and then reboot, Open and close word,
then reverse the Modify instructions, the Acrobat functions return without
the clashes with saving Customise and Autotext/toolbar/menu.
http://www.gmayor.com/lose_that_adobe_acrobat_toolbar.htm

Hope this helps
DeanH