Normal.dot template (Word 97)

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Is there a way to change the normal.dot template so I can change the type face and make several other changes to the template instead of having to change the settings every time I create a new word document? I

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Tom,

If you are talking permanent changes, then change the Normal template. Set it up the way you want, with all the font and margin changes. Then save it as Normal1.dot. Exit Word and go into your template files folder using Windows Explorer or My Computer. Delete the Normal.dot template, and rename your Normal1.dot as Normal.dot.

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I believe if you open normal.dot from File Explorer (not double-clicking, but rather selecting it, then using FILE, OPEN) you will open the template itself. You can change the typeface, save it, exit, then go back into Word to test that the changes have been effective. I no longer recall where Word 97 stores normal.dot, so I would do a search from Windows (START, FIND) to locate it, rather than searching from inside Word.

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The easiest way is to just open a blank doc (the one Word opens when it starts is fine), make your changes to the font (Format | Font) then click that button at the bottom: Default. That’ll update Normal.dot with your settings. You can do the same with settings under File | PageSetup too.

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Is there a way to return to the previous version of normal.dot or perhaps the original shipped version if you don’t save a copy to return to?
Thanks Al

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If you don’t have a backup copy of Normal.dot, there is no built-in way to return to a previous version.

If you delete Normal.dot or rename it or move it out of the Templates folder, Word will start with the factory-set options; it will save a fresh Normal.dot as soon as you change some of these settings.

By deleting/renaming/moving Normal.dot, you will lose *all* settings stored in it:
– Modified and custom styles
– Modified and custom menus/toolbars
– Modified and customized keyboard shortcuts
– AutoText entries
– Macros

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Tom, just another view of the world of Word. If you need a template with a set of styles different than Normal.dot, my advice would be to create a new template, and setup the styles you want, the way you want them and then save this as a new template. That way you will always have Normal.dot to go to if you need it. I have two rules that I follow almost religiously, I do not base a document on Normal.dot, I base it on a handful of templates I have built that have the styles I need the way I need them to be, including custom lists, both numbered and bulleted, and headings, etc., or create a new template. The other rule I follow, is that I do not use the normal style for anything in a document, I may base other styles that I create or modify, e.g., Body Text, on the normal style, etc. but I stay away from it to format paragraphs, etc. This may sound like a lot. but I have the normal.dot and the normal style if I ever need them to base something on. FWIW…My

Ron M

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Thanks Hans,
I really appreciate your reliable help.
Al

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It took me 20 years to find this and I am finally happy!   Ten Trillion thank-yous!!!!!

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