Word Global Template (Normal)

[Arnold Nefkens]

Hello,

I want to make a Normal Template that contains my onw styles. And not
the styles MS configured. I've made a Template named Normal, placed it
into the Templates Folder. Every time I start up Word, Word creates
another Normal Template that contains the MS Standard Styles, and not my
own styles. Can someone tell wher this file is located that Word keeps
creating, so that I can replace this file with my own file?

Thank You in advance

 

[Dayo Mitchell]

Hi Arnold,

Normal is kept in the Templates folder in the Apps: MS Office folder--isn't
that where you are putting yours? I believe Normal has special qualities
(it isn't just any global template) and Word likes to make its own. It is
apparently used as a scratch-pad for all types of internal Word management.

Rather than attempting to bypass Word's Normal, it is probably a better idea
to make yours a Global template to hold all your styles, shortcuts, macros,
etc, and place that in the Word Startup Folder (Apps: MS Office: Office:
Startup: Word). It will always be accessible then, in any template, can
easily be backed-up, and is less likely to spontaneously corrupt than
Normal.

If seeing Word's default styles is really driving you crazy, you can
customize Word's styles in Normal, in which case it is a really good idea to
make regular backups of Normal, which may eventually corrupt. You can always
copy styles between templates via the Organizer, even from a corrupt Normal.

A rationale for customizing Word's styles is here:
http://www.shaunakelly.com/word/numbering/UseBuiltInHeadingStyles.html

I imagine discussion will continue....
Dayo

 

[Arnold Nefkens]

Hi Dayo,
Thank you for your response

That's just what I'm doing, Made a new template named it Normal, placed
in the App:Office:Templates folder, overwrote the 'Standard' template
with my own. When I start Word up, it will create a New 'MS' Normal file
that resides next to mine. And voila, there they are again..... Those
..#$%#%^$^%$^%$^ MS styles..... It is indeed driving me mad... What
annoys me even more is that I can not change the Name of certain Styles.
If I change the Name of the style Normal, to something more appropriate
for my company i.e. Normal_CompanyName. The name is then
Normal;Normal_CompanyName. The same applies to the Heading and TOC
styles....

The biggest problem is still that I can't seem to get rid of this Global
MS template. I just want to make my own and use that as my Global
Template.
And yes the discussing keeps on going......;-)

Arnold

 

[Dayo Mitchell]

Word uses Normal for all sorts of tricky things that have to do with how
Word internally orders and remembers information, so when people have tried
to bypass or overly control Normal, it tends to cause problems and corrupt
files. So I actually suggested that you stop trying to get rid of Normal,
and do some things differently. It might be less frustrating.

Dayo

 

[Beth Rosengard]

Hi Arnold,

I think what you missed in Dayo's post is that you can't call your custom
template Normal. If you follow the instructions in her last post but call
the template anything else *but* Normal, you shouldn't have a problem.

As for the built-in styles, you can't change their names though you can
change their characteristics. If you want a style called
Normal_CompanyName, just create one. The default Normal style will still be
there but you can choose to ignore it (even if you can't get rid of it).

If you don't want to see Normal style, but just your own custom styles, you
can create a custom toolbar for all your styles and access them from there
(and/or assign them keystrokes).

You will find much, much more about templates and styles in Clive Huggan's
"Bend Word to Your Will" which I highly recommend:
<http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/WordMac/Bend/BendWord.htm>

--
Beth Rosengard
Mac MVP

Mac Word FAQ: <http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/WordMac/index.htm>
Entourage Help Page: <http://www.entourage.mvps.org/toc.html>

 

[Paul Berkowitz]

I want to make a Normal Template that contains my onw styles. And not
the styles MS configured. I've made a Template named Normal, placed it
into the Templates Folder. Every time I start up Word, Word creates
another Normal Template that contains the MS Standard Styles, and not my
own styles. Can someone tell wher this file is located that Word keeps
creating, so that I can replace this file with my own file?

I would concur completely with Dayo and Beth (who are the experts here) that
you should do this by a template in Startup folder and/or adding styles to
Normal.

I think one reason why you may be having trouble overwriting Normal,
however, is that you're not really overwriting it. The MS-supplied "Normal"
has no extension. When you make your own Normal template, there may be a
".dot" extension at the end, even if your OS X system preferences are to
Hide Extensions. You could do a Get Info on it to see "Name and Extension":
it may be called "Normal.dot". Or maybe even "Normal.doc". On the Mac, Word
will just create another "Normal" (no extension) if it doesn't see one in
the Templates folder. It looks to me that that's what's happening.

If this is the case, you might be able to substitute your own Normal by
removing the extension. But I really, really wouldn't advise it. Instead. do
what Dayo suggests and make a template to put in Microsoft Office
X/Office/Startup/Word/ folder.

--
Paul Berkowitz
MVP Entourage
Entourage FAQ Page: <http://www.entourage.mvps.org/toc.html>
AppleScripts for Entourage: <http://macscripter.net/scriptbuilders/>

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