Automatically Saving Changes to Defaults

Summary: Do you want Word to notify you before saving changes to the Normal.dot template? (This tip works with Microsoft Word 6, Word 95, Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, and Word 2003.)

Many configuration changes that you make to Word are stored in a special template called Normal.dot. This template is used to help create new, blank documents and to define some of the system-wide settings used by Word. As you make changes to these settings, Word marks Normal.dot as "dirty" so that it will be saved when you exit the program.

By default, Word saves Normal.dot without any notification to you. However, you may want notification. Why? In case there were some changes done without your explicit action--for instance, by running a macro. If you want Word to notify you when it is about to save Normal.dot, follow these steps:

Choose Options from the Tools menu. Word displays the Options dialog box.
Make sure the Save tab is selected.
Make sure the Prompt to Save Normal Template check box is selected.
Click on OK.

Tip #1464 applies to Microsoft Word versions: 6 | 95 | 97 | 2000 | 2002 | 2003

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