Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 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: Determining the Template Attached to a Document.

Determining the Template Attached to a Document

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated January 21, 2023)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 365


4

Every document has a template associated with it. Templates control things like which styles and macros are available to the document. A document can have only one template associated with it at a time, and you can change that template at any time you desire.

If you want to find out which template is attached to a document, you can do so by displaying the Developer tab of the ribbon and then clicking on the Document Template tool. Word displays the Templates and Add-ins dialog box. (See Figure 1.) The field at the top of the dialog box indicates the name of the template associated with your document.

Figure 1. The Templates and Add-ins dialog box.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (10689) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 365. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Determining the Template Attached to a Document.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. ...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Summing a Table Column

Need to add a sum to a column of figures in a table? Word makes it relatively easy to provide the sum you need.

Discover More

Placing the First Two Words from the Following Page In the Footer

Headers and footers can be used for all sorts of information to help orient your document reader. In fact, Word provides ...

Discover More

Making Text Bold

Want a cool shortcut to make your text bold? Here's a method that fits in wonderfully with how things are done in the ...

Discover More

Discover the Power of Microsoft Office This beginner-friendly guide reveals the expert tips and strategies you need to skyrocket your productivity and use Office 365 like a pro. Mastering software like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is essential to be more efficient and advance your career. Simple lessons guide you through every step, providing the knowledge you need to get started. Check out Microsoft Office 365 For Beginners today!

More WordTips (ribbon)

Managing Corporate Templates

Templates are used to store styles and lots of other customizations that affect how you use Word. On a single-user ...

Discover More

Template Changing On Its Own

When you attach a template to a document, you expect that template to stay attached. When you share the document with ...

Discover More

Create a Template that Stops Styles from Being Added to a Document

Limiting which styles a user can use or add to a document can be a tricky task. Fortunately, Word has advanced to the ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is six more than 9?

2023-01-24 04:34:15

Barry

Thank you to both Tomek and Andrew. Both relies are very useful.
Regards
Barry


2023-01-23 11:07:20

Andrew

In a macro, ActiveDocument.AttachedTemplate.Name or ActiveDocument.AttachedTemplate.FullName gives this information.

Andy.


2023-01-22 11:00:36

Tomek

I think it may happen if the open document is a template itself.
This will happen if you save your fila as a template and you continue editing it, or if you open the file that is a template using Open from within Word.
Opening the template from file explorer crates a new document based on that template.
HTH


2023-01-21 08:44:03

Barry

Hi. I tried using this Tip ( Finding the Template Attached to a Document).
In the dialog box the area for the template name is empty and greyed out for some files but not others. Why would that happen if all documents have an associated template? All of the documents are created on the same Word version (2019).
Any suggestions to resolve this greatly appreciated.
Regards
Beepee


This Site

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.

Videos
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.