Starting with a Different Template

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated May 19, 2020)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003

When you first start Word, it creates a blank document based on the template Normal.dot. What if you wanted to start Word with a different template? For instance, let's say you wanted Word to always start and open with a blank document based on a template named OurCompany.dot instead of Normal.dot. Further, the OurCompany template is stored on the D: drive, in the MyTemplates folder. To cause Word to use this template for blank documents on startup, you would follow these steps:

Using the desktop browser (Windows, not Word), display the folder containing the shortcut used to start Word.
Right-click on the shortcut icon. This displays a Context menu for the shortcut.
Select the Properties option from the Context menu. This displays the shortcut's Properties dialog box.
Click on the Shortcut tab. (See Figure 1.)

Figure 1. The Shortcut tab of the Properties dialog box.

At the end of the Target field, add the following: /t"d:\mytemplates\ourcompany.dot" (If there are quote marks surrounding the text in the Target field, makes sure you place the new information outside the quote marks. Also, make sure there is a space before the /t.)
Click on OK.

Now, whenever you start Word, it starts with a document based on OurCompany.dot.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (859) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003.

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. Learn more about Allen...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Including a Data Table with Your Chart

Microsoft Graph allows you to display both your chart and data, if desired. All it takes is to make a simple change to a ...

Discover More

Controlling Display of Page Breaks

Do you want page breaks displayed on the screen? Excel allows you to specify whether it should show those page breaks or not.

Discover More

Limiting Scroll Area

If you need to limit the cells that are accessible by the user of a worksheet, VBA can come to the rescue. This doesn't ...

Discover More

Learning Made Easy! Quickly teach yourself how to format, publish, and share your content using Word 2021 or Microsoft 365. With Step by Step, you set the pace, building and practicing the skills you need, just when you need them! Check out Microsoft Word Step by Step today!

More WordTips (menu)

Getting Rid of Persistent Templates

Word uses an open interface that allows add-ons and other programs to expand the way that Word works. Sometimes remnants ...

Discover More

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

Templates and Page Setup

Templates are a great way to share styles, macros, and other settings among various documents. One thing that isn't ...

Discover More

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.

Notify me about new comments ONLY FOR THIS TIP

Notify me about new comments ANYWHERE ON THIS SITE

Hide my email address

What is 8 - 1?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)

This Site

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.