Don't understand Global Templates

[Ron37]

I don't understand Global Templates and how they work versus Normal
Templates. Can someone help me on Global Templates and how they work?

 

[Jay Freedman]

I don't understand Global Templates and how they work versus Normal
Templates. Can someone help me on Global Templates and how they work?

The term "global template" includes ones that are stored in the Startup folder
as well as the Normal.dot template. Both kinds are loaded during Word's startup
processing and make certain functions available in every document (that's why
they're called "global"). A global template other than Normal.dot may also be
called an "add-in"; there are other kinds of add-ins besides templates.

Regular templates (those not in the Startup folder) and Normal.dot may be used
to base new documents; the templates in the Startup folder are not used that
way. The Normal.dot template is a special case, because it serves as both a
regular template and a global template.

The article at
http://www.word.mvps.org/FAQs/Customization/WhatTemplatesStore.htm lists the
things that can be stored in a global template and used in documents, compared
to the things that are supplied by regular templates.

The article at http://www.shaunakelly.com/word/templaterelations/index.html may
also help to explain how things from templates become available in documents.

 

[Ron37]

When you create a template based on an installed template such as Oriel Fax
and make customizations to themes and quick styles and fonts you would save
that in the My Templates folder. Would that be classified as a global
template since you created a template based on an installed template? I
believe a template can be created based on no installed templates and then
also be saved as My Templates.

 

[Graham Mayor]

That would make it a personalised document template and not a global
template.

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Graham Mayor - Word MVP


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[Ron37]

Would the installed templates in Word be classified as Normal templates? It
was mentioned about the Startup Folder, how would you get a template there? I
guess you can save a file as a Word template in the Startup Folder.

 

[Jay Freedman]

Be very careful when using the word "Normal" in connection with Word, especially
capitalized. Word has a Normal.dot template (Normal.dotm in Word 2007) and a
Normal style. What you're describing is neither of those -- it's what the
referenced article calls a "regular" template.

You can make any template a "global" template simply by saving it or moving it
into the Startup folder and restarting Word. That copy of the template won't be
used for basing new documents.

First look in the Folder Locations dialog to see where the Startup folder is.
The default installation creates it at %appdata%\Microsoft\Word\Startup. You can
save a template there directly from Word; or you can save the template anywhere
else and then use Windows Explorer to move it or copy it to the Startup folder.

 

[Graham Mayor]

No - they are document templates. There is only one normal template (called
normal.dot - or normal.dotm in Word 2007) which is Word's default template.
This can only be created by Word (though you can edit it to change some
default settings).
The startup folder location is defined at tools > options > file locations >
startup. Any template saved there will load with Word and would thus be a
global template in that its macros, toolbars and autotext entries are
available to all documents.
Read Jay's response again - and especially the information in the links he
provided.

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Graham Mayor - Word MVP


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[Ron37]

How would you find the Word Startup Folder by clicking on Save As in Word? I
know I can find it from Windows Explorer but can't find it with Save As.

 

[Jay Freedman]

It's a subdirectory of the Application Data folder in your profile, and the
Application Data folder is a hidden folder. In order to see it in any dialog
within Word, you have to go into Windows Explorer and set it to show hidden
folders. That setting affects all of Windows, including Office.

Open Windows Explorer. Click Tools > Folder Options > View. In the Advanced
Settings list, click the option button for "Show hidden files and folders", and
click OK.

Now you should be able to navigate in the Save As dialog through the Documents
and Settings folder, then the one with your name, then Application
Data\Microsoft\Word\Startup.

 

[Ron37]

I still feel lost on global templates. Once you create a document do you have
to save it as a Word Template in the Word Startup Folder in order for it to
be a global template? I also don't understand what can be used for add ins.
Its still a little foggy to me.

 

[Jay Freedman]

Once you create a document do you have
to save it as a Word Template in the Word Startup Folder in order for it to
be a global template?
Yes.

I also don't understand what can be used for add ins.

For your purposes, consider "global template" and "add-in" to mean the same
thing.

A global template can provide AutoText entries, toolbars, menu items, keyboard
shortcuts, and macros that are available in all documents. Nothing else. (If
you're using Word 2007, then forget the "menu items" part.)

 

[Ron37]

So with add ins what are AutoText entries that can be added? With toolbars
does that mean customizing the quick access toolbar for your document as add
ins? How many Word Templates can you have to be stored in Global templates at
the Startup folder?

 

[Graham Mayor]

Look up "Reuse and distribute parts of a document" after searching for
'autotext' in Word 2007 help.
Word 2007 does not use toolbars - only the QAT (Quick Access Toolbar)
How many global templates do you think you need, when you are not even sure
what they hold? Virtually everything that you might want to put in a global
template can be stored in the normal template and in the first instance that
is where I would put it.

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Graham Mayor - Word MVP


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