can't access "new" from Insert, Autotext

[Lew]

I am trying to speed up letter production by putting frequently used text in
autotext.
I have used this method on previous computers with XP. In this case when I
select "insert", then "autotext", the "add new" selection to grayed out and
is not accessable. I suspect some preference selection is blocking me, but I
cannot find it!
Help!

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

You must have text selected for New to be available.