How to prevent normal.dot save with code (Word 2003 SP2)

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I have a problem with word saving normal.dot every time word closes
I expect the file to change every time word opens since I run various AutoExec macros for customised toolbars
I have tried using different codes to prevent it happening and close without saving
Examples:

‘Sub FileExit()
‘NormalTemplate.Saved = True
‘Application.Quit
‘End Sub

‘Public Sub Autoexit()
‘If NormalTemplate.Saved = False Then
‘NormalTemplate.Saved = True
‘Else
‘End If
‘End Sub

The codes do run, I can see them using a stop command and they all appear to step through correctly but word still insist on saving as soon as it executes the “End Sub” command

Am I doing something wrong in the codes?
Thanks
Mike

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Welcome to Woody’s Lounge!

Why don’t you set

NormalTemplate.Saved = True

at the end of the code in the AutoExec macro? That is safer and more dependable, in my experience. I tested it just now and it worked as intended – no prompt to save changes to Normal.dot.

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Hi Hans
Thanks for the reply – I’ve tried that before – and every other piece of script i can find
But tried again as in…

Public Sub Autoexit()
NormalTemplate.Saved = True
Stop
End Sub

At the stop I checked the properties – it’s saved ok
But as soon as it executes the end sub…. it saves
That’s what’s baffling me

I’ve started with a new clean normal.dot – open word, do nothing except close word and it prompts for change – save normal.dot
That’s with it completely empty
Just to prove it is saving I added a module
When prompted to save said no – darn – it saved it anyway

It’s like theres a permenant dirty flag set somewhere in the word settings but no idea where to look for it
Tried all the different reg cleaners, tried “repairing” word – no change, still does it

I’m totally stumped – any real clever guys out there that have any idea at all what i can try?
Mike

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Do you have any add-ins for Word installed? Some add-ins have their own code to clear and set the Saved flag, and this might interfere.
Try the steps in Phil Rabichow’s Systematic Approach to Behavioral Problems in Word.

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Thanks Hans – followed that and here’s the story…

Cleaned all temp files etc
Cleared out all existing normal.dots I could find (I play with vba and tend hold onto things…. errrr…”just in case”)

Ran winword.exe /a
Word opens and closes with no prompts and no saves

New document with field…
The field produces…
System C:Documents and SettingsMichaelDesktopError.doc (the saved file with the field)
C:Documents and SettingsMichaelApplication DataMicrosoftTemplatesNormal.dot
So no coms or add-ins there
Closing – it sounded like a save happened – open – tick prompt for normal save warning
Close it – and yup – there’s the darn prompt again

Off to the registry
I’ve got office 11 – export and delete data key – cross fingers
Open word – tick prompt for normal save warning – close it and….. the prompt’s there (screams,wailing and gnashing of teeth)

back into registry
delete same key and look for anything else that’s been mentioned – found add-ins key with some keys in it – exported and deleted
deleted normal.dot – opened word – same routine – with the same darn result, it’s still saving as it closes

I’m stumped – but thanks for trying
Regards
Mike

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Can you tell us what field you are putting in the document, and how you do this. If the only thing in the document is the field then you could just attach it to a post here so that we can see it.

StuartR

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The field is “ddeauto winword system topics”
the result when doc is closed and opened is…

System C:Documents and SettingsMichaelDesktopError.doc
C:Documents and SettingsMichaelApplication DataMicrosoftTemplatesNormal.dot

Hence it looks like no add-ins are being loaded

But i’ve since tried the other suggestion on Phil’s page, using the vba code:
Sub ListAddins()
Dim MyAddin As COMAddIn
Dim i As Integer, msg As String
For Each MyAddin In Application.COMAddIns
msg = msg & MyAddin.Description & ” – ” & MyAddin.ProgID & vbCrLf
Next
MsgBox msg
End Sub
That produces this (extracted by “debug.print Msg” from the immediate window):

Send to Bluetooth – BtOfficeAddin.BtOfficeIntegration.1
– SSCDLLCOM.Connect
Microsoft Word East European Fonts Tool – WordEEFonts.ConnectSend to Bluetooth – BtOfficeAddin.BtOfficeIntegration.1
– SSCDLLCOM.Connect
Microsoft Word East European Fonts Tool – WordEEFonts.Connect

So it appears that there are 2 com addins being loaded that I can’t otherwise see
I have a usb bluetooth on the PC I use for my Nokia PC suite but it’s only running when I specifically want it – it’s off just now. (Don’t understand what that has to do with word either!)
and I’m happy to get rid of the East European fonts add-in, but how?

I noticed bluetooth support server and spooler sub system both running in Process explorer so i tried killing them and before they had a chance to re-start I re-ran the vba code but that still produces the same result as above – both com add-ins are still there (as was the unwanted saving)
At this point I’m stuck!
Mike

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There’s a way to manage COM add-ins from within Word:
– Select Tools | Customize…
– Activate the Toolbars tab if necessary.
– Select Tools in the list of Categories on the left.
– Select COM Add-Ins in the list of Commands on the right.
– Drag this item to the Tools menu on the menu bar, and drop it somewhere in the menu (for example below Templates and Add-Ins).
– Close the Customize dialog.

You can now select Tools | COM Add-Ins… to add or remove items.

Note: adding the menu item will obviously count as a modification of Normal.dot.

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Thanks Hans – that’s got rid of the East European Com but the Bluetooth one’s not shown in the list

tried the code again again and got…
Send to Bluetooth – BtOfficeAddin.BtOfficeIntegration.1
– SSCDLLCOM.Connect
so that’s still there – somewhere

Oh – and the save problem’s still there

Regards
Mike

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You could try searching the registry for BtOfficeIntegration, then export the key that enables this add-in and delete it (please export it first so you can recover if it all goes wrong).

StuartR

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Hi Stuart
Removed the keys – no change to save prompt
Ran the code and it showed “-SSCDLLCOM.Connect”

Removed that key and IT’S FIXED! – no saves / no prompts HOORAY!

But just to get to the bottom of things I went hunting for the references in the exported key
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTSSCDLLCOM.Connect]
@=”SSCDLLCOM.Connect”
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTSSCDLLCOM.ConnectClsid]
@=”{D43FD064-853B-4621-806C-88456E396998}”

I discovered it refers to a programme “Stylelist Style Copier” which has been summarily despatched into the wide blue yonder from my PC!!
Many, many thanks to both you and Hans for your patient help and guidance
Kind regards
Mike

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Phew! That was a tough one, I’m glad you finally cracked it!

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