How to Create a Template in MS Word

One of the easiest ways to maintain consistency among your documents is to create a template from which they are created. The template sets all the document parameters to your desired values every time it is used, so your font, margins, headings and nearly every other feature is the same for every new document. Once created, a template distributed among your co-workers in a corporate setting distributes the productivity advantage companywide.

Instructions

1. Start a blank document from the Normal template. This is the default setting of Word and is the basis for the standard documents.

2. Lay out the desired features of your template. As an example, change the default typeface size to 12 points and the standard margins to Narrow. Make these changes prior to typing any text so that they will apply to the whole document.

3. Save the document as a Template file. Select "File, Save As" to access the file type dialog. In the file type dropdown box, select "Word Template" (dot, dotx). The file can be saved anywhere, but the most efficient location is the Templates folder. This is shown in the Trusted Locations section of the file tree in the dialog. Templates stored in this location will appear when you select New File. If you store the file elsewhere, you need to navigate to the template file through the file explorer in order to use it.

4. Close Word and restart the program. Select "File, New" and select your template to verify that it sets up the document in the desired manner.

References

• Microsoft: Create a Document Template
• MVPs: Creating a Template - The Basics
• Klariti: Creating a New Word Template