Autocorrect: A File That Can Be Read?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Greg Purvis
  • Start date Start date
G

Greg Purvis

Hi.

I'd like to open the autocorrect file and read the entries, so that I can
see which were the last dozen or so that were added to the file.

If the autocorrect file can be opened and read in a text reader, where can
the file be found, and what is it called?

If there is a different way to list the most recent additions to the
Autocorrect file, I'd appreciate knowing that too.

Thanks for any help.
GP
 
Hi, Greg,

There's a template containing a macro at
http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/Customization/ExportAutocorrect.htm. The
export portion of the macro creates a document that shows all your
AutoCorrect entries. However, it will be in alphabetic order, not in
the order in which they were added, so you'll have to keep the
document from a previous run and compare the latest file to it.

As the article explains, some entries are stored in the Normal.dot
template and others are stored in a *.acl file. Both of these are in
binary format and aren't directly viewable.
 
Thanks for that information, Jay. word.mvps.org is a very good site. The
MVPs have been a huge help every time I've asked.

I still hope someone might know of a way to convert the binary file to
readable text or something like that, so I can read the list in
chronological order.

Thanks again
GP

Jay Freedman said:
Hi, Greg,

There's a template containing a macro at
http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/Customization/ExportAutocorrect.htm. The
export portion of the macro creates a document that shows all your
AutoCorrect entries. However, it will be in alphabetic order, not in
the order in which they were added, so you'll have to keep the
document from a previous run and compare the latest file to it. [snip]
I'd like to open the autocorrect file and read the entries, so that I can
see which were the last dozen or so that were added to the file.
If the autocorrect file can be opened and read in a text reader, where can
the file be found, and what is it called?
If there is a different way to list the most recent additions to the
Autocorrect file, I'd appreciate knowing that too.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Hi, Greg,

Even in the binary file, the entries aren't stored in chronological
order. I took a look at my MSO1033.acl file in a hex editor, and the
entries are in alphabetical order there.

My best suggestion is that you (or someone -- I may try it if I have
some time) could create a macro to use instead of the AutoCorrect
dialog for creating new entries. In addition to creating the entry,
the macro would open a specific "AutoCorrect log" file and at the end
of it put the name and definition of the new entry, along with a date
stamp. A similar macro would be needed to remove entries.

Greg Purvis said:
Thanks for that information, Jay. word.mvps.org is a very good site. The
MVPs have been a huge help every time I've asked.

I still hope someone might know of a way to convert the binary file to
readable text or something like that, so I can read the list in
chronological order.

Thanks again
GP

Jay Freedman said:
Hi, Greg,

There's a template containing a macro at
http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/Customization/ExportAutocorrect.htm. The
export portion of the macro creates a document that shows all your
AutoCorrect entries. However, it will be in alphabetic order, not in
the order in which they were added, so you'll have to keep the
document from a previous run and compare the latest file to it. [snip]
I'd like to open the autocorrect file and read the entries, so that I can
see which were the last dozen or so that were added to the file.
If the autocorrect file can be opened and read in a text reader, where can
the file be found, and what is it called?
If there is a different way to list the most recent additions to the
Autocorrect file, I'd appreciate knowing that too.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Jay Freedman said:
Hi, Greg,

Even in the binary file, the entries aren't stored in chronological
order. I took a look at my MSO1033.acl file in a hex editor, and the
entries are in alphabetical order there.
Click to expand...

Thanks very much for checking into that.
My best suggestion is that you (or someone -- I may try it if I have
some time) could create a macro to use instead of the AutoCorrect
dialog for creating new entries. In addition to creating the entry,
the macro would open a specific "AutoCorrect log" file and at the end
of it put the name and definition of the new entry, along with a date
stamp. A similar macro would be needed to remove entries.
Click to expand...

Good idea. I think I did something similar with WordPerfect. Those
spell-correct macros had the added feature of optioning whether to
automatically make the change or whether to prompt for it. It was a big
help with instances of "from" and "form", for instance. Not quite what
you're describing here, I understand what you mean though.

Thanks again!
Greg
 
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