Creating Your Own Templates in Word

Templates are documents whose base contents are presented for your modification. Most people think of templates like forms…but templates can be extended to include both layout and initial text.

If you find yourself doing the same type of documents time and again, it is time to consider a template. Some examples of documents that can benefit from turning into templates: form letters, routine correspondence, newsletters, and shopping lists.

How To Make A Template In Word 2003

There are two steps to make a template in word: set up the document, then save it as a template.

Setting up the document means putting everything in it: layout, fonts, content. Even if you won’t use something every time, if you will use it most times, put it in.

Saving a template is very easy. Choose File, Save As. In the dialog box, choose Document Template (*.dot) from the Save As Type drop down list. It will change the directory automatically to the place you have specified for saving user templates.

Changing the Default Save Location

You can change where the default save location for user templates is. Why would you do this? I do this mainly for backup. If I put the documents in My Documents, I know that I will back them up, and will automatically transfer them to a new computer.

To change the location, in Word 2003, go to Tools, Options. On the File Locations tab, double click on the User Templates entry, then select your directory.

Using A Template

With the template saved in the correct location, all it takes to create a document from your template is to start a new document, then select On My Computer under the Templates section. It will automatically take you to the place you have saved your template.

Photo by robertnelson