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.
The First and Last Word on Word! Bestselling For Dummies author Dan Gookin puts his usual fun and friendly candor back to work to show you how to navigate Word 2013. Spend more time working and less time trying to figure it all out! Check out Word 2013 For Dummies today!
If you've opened a document in Word, that document has a template attached to it. This tip looks at what those templates do ...
Discover MoreChanging the template associated with a couple of documents is easy, but what if a whole directory needs to be changed? These ...
Discover MoreThe first step in modifying templates is to find out where they are stored on your system. Here's the easiest way to figure ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
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.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2017 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
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: 
Comments