Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Word in Office 365. If you are using an earlier version (Word 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Word, click here: Editing a Template.
A template is Word's guide for how your document and working environment should appear. Depending on your version of Word, templates can contain information on the toolbar, ribbon, menus, macros, styles, default text, and any number of other environmental items.
Editing a template is much like editing a regular document; the only difference is that the file is saved with a different filename extension than regular documents. To load an existing template so that you can edit it, do the following:
You can now make any changes desired, and then save the template again. The changes affect any future documents you base on the template.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (7334) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Word in Office 365. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Editing a Template.
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2019-02-23 12:41:31
Esme K.
I have found that it is easier to use the dialogue boxes associated with the tabs to edit templates. The main tabs have dialogue boxes which when fully opened (using the arrow in the lower right corner) give access to adjustable options. So, simply open a new document (no need to search for the document template). Upen up the relevant tab fully. Select / modify your desired options. Then, simply click the "Default" button at the bottom of the dialogue box. This action has the effect of applying the modifications you have made, to all new documents subsequently opened (which are, of course, based on the document template.
Got a version of Word that uses the ribbon interface (Word 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the menu interface.
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Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Word in Office 365. If you are using an earlier version (Word 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Word, click here: 
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