How do I get "Insert - Picture" to default to the local directory

[Phil Arcuni]

When editing a Word document and inserting pictures, I want the "open file"
window to default to the directory of the document I am working on, rather
than the directory "my pictures". I have to perform multiple clicks to get
to the directory of the document I am working on.

I am generally unhappy with the way Word tries to force me to use the "my
documents", "My Pictures", "My etc." directories.

 

[Lene Fredborg]

You can change the default locations Word use for documents and pictures.

In case of Word 2003 or earlier, select Tools > Options > File Location tab.
Modify the locations for “Documents†and “Clipart picturesâ€. Click OK when
finished.

In case of Word 2007, you will find the corresponding settings via Office
button > Word Options > Advanced tab – near the bottom you will find the
“File Locations†button.

--
Regards
Lene Fredborg
DocTools - Denmark
www.thedoctools.com
Document automation - add-ins, macros and templates for Microsoft Word

 

[Phil Arcuni]

Thank you. However, this appears to be a document specific default, and to a
specific directory. I want the default directory for inserted files to be to
the directory in which the main document is stored, for all documents,
wherever they are. This allows me to keep the different components of a
document together in one directory.

I am using Word 2003

 

[Jay Freedman]

Install this macro in your Normal.dot template:

Sub AutoOpen()
Options.DefaultFilePath(wdPicturesPath) = ActiveDocument.Path
End Sub

See http://www.gmayor.com/installing_macro.htm if needed.

This macro will execute automatically each time you open an existing document.
It will set the "Clipart pictures" location to the same folder that contains the
document being opened.

If you want to reset the location to a particular folder when you first start
Word, rather than having it point to the folder of the last document of the
previous session, then also install a macro like this one:

Sub AutoExec()
Options.DefaultFilePath(wdPicturesPath) = "J:\Clips"
End Sub

--
Regards,
Jay Freedman
Microsoft Word MVP
Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup so all
may benefit.