Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here: Editing a Template.
A template is Word's guide for how your document and working environment should appear. Templates contain information on the toolbar, 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 DOT filename extension (instead of DOC).
To load an existing template so you can edit it, do the following:
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (467) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Word (Word 2007 and later) here: Editing a Template.
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Don't want Word to start by using the Normal.dot template? This tip explains how to start using a different template.
Discover MoreTemplates allow you to define and collect many formatting settings that control how your documents appear. Getting a ...
Discover MoreIf you have a template stored on disk, you can open it and make changes to it just as you do other documents. This tip ...
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2018-11-29 17:30:43
Audrey Parker
I have created a template in Word 2016. When I try to use "Developer", "Properties", and try to format the style of the font in the fill-in box, the words are always italicized. I have gone in and made sure I tell the program not to use italics, but every time the words are italicized. Any idea what I'm doing wrong? Thanks.
2018-07-09 08:42:31
Kerry Gwen
Well, I have downloaded one template from online resource; (http://www.certificatetemplatess.org/) and now wanna edit it. Please guide me in this regard.
Thanks
2017-04-13 08:04:04
Savannah Witham
You didn't include any information on what steps to take to actually change something in the template. For instance, I'm using a template I really like, but there's a table on it that I need to be moved over a little bit. Word won't let me click and drag it, so how can I go about doing so?
2017-02-27 21:24:51
Cheryl
Use this link to edit your existing template.
https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Edit-templates-b2cb7adb-aec2-429f-81fd-3d5bd33cf264?ui=en-US&rs=en-US&ad=US&fromAR=1
2017-02-15 16:03:38
Tim statement is what I am going through.
My template that I am trying to edit, and I use the Replace all method, and when i try to save changes, it only prompts me to SAVE AS, I give it a new name SAVE AS and it still does not change the error.
How do I edit my Template please.
2017-01-05 17:12:13
Tim
This doesn't work at all. It just applies the template to a new document - calls it Document 1. The template is not being edited.
2016-10-24 22:19:37
Alice
I want to edit a template in my Word 2010, but for the template there is no save option in the template, just edit online.
Got a version of Word that uses the menu interface (Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, or Word 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
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Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here: 
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