Word XP Does Not Create New Normal.dot

[Scott]

Along with the query I just posted regarding Word's "/t" switch, I
have also just now noticed something else. If I rename all of the
Normal.dot files in my system (administrator and two users) and then
start Word XP, it does open without a problem, but no new normal.dot
file(s) are made. Is this something that does not work in Word XP as
it used to in older versions?

 

[Charles Kenyon]

If you make a change to the defaults, it will save a normal.dot upon exit,
in the user templates folder. Note, you should not be sharing normal.dot.
See http://addbalance.com/word/movetotemplate.htm for step-by-step
instructions on moving / sharing / copying / backing-up customizations
including AutoText, AutoCorrect, keyboard assignments, toolbars, macros,
etc.

 

[Scott]

If you make a change to the defaults, it will save a normal.dot upon exit,
in the user templates folder. Note, you should not be sharing normal.dot.
See http://addbalance.com/word/movetotemplate.htm for step-by-step
instructions on moving / sharing / copying / backing-up customizations
including AutoText, AutoCorrect, keyboard assignments, toolbars, macros,
etc.

That is what is not happening. For instance, I just opened Word,
selected Format/Font, changed font, hit default, and then closed Word.
No new normal.dot was generated.

 

[Jay Freedman]

That is what is not happening. For instance, I just opened Word,
selected Format/Font, changed font, hit default, and then closed Word.
No new normal.dot was generated.

Hi Scott,

Word can't operate without a Normal.dot. It's there somewhere! In
Windows Explorer, go to Tools > Options > View and verify that you
have selected "Show hidden files and folders". If Explorer was already
open to the Templates folder where Normal.dot lives, press F5 to
refresh the file list.

 

[TF]

Scott

Also go to Tools, Options, Save tab and make sure that Prompt to Save to
Normal is checked. Then when you close Word after making a change to a
default such as the font or page settings, you will receive a prompt to save
the normal.dot.



: On Tue, 25 Jan 2005 17:50:31 -0600, "Charles Kenyon"
:
: >If you make a change to the defaults, it will save a normal.dot upon
exit,
: >in the user templates folder. Note, you should not be sharing normal.dot.
: >See http://addbalance.com/word/movetotemplate.htm for step-by-step
: >instructions on moving / sharing / copying / backing-up customizations
: >including AutoText, AutoCorrect, keyboard assignments, toolbars, macros,
: >etc.
: That is what is not happening. For instance, I just opened Word,
: selected Format/Font, changed font, hit default, and then closed Word.
: No new normal.dot was generated.

 

[Scott]

Hi Scott,

Word can't operate without a Normal.dot. It's there somewhere! In
Windows Explorer, go to Tools > Options > View and verify that you
have selected "Show hidden files and folders". If Explorer was already
open to the Templates folder where Normal.dot lives, press F5 to
refresh the file list.

But that is exactly what is happening. I have searched everywhere for
it (after confirming that "show hidden files and folder" what checked.
I open word, change the default font, answer that "Yes" I want it to
be applied to all documents based on the normal document. Then, close
word and reopen. The new "default" font was not applied - there is
still no normal.dot anywhere on the hard drives. Anywhere!

..

 

[Scott]

Scott

Also go to Tools, Options, Save tab and make sure that Prompt to Save to
Normal is checked. Then when you close Word after making a change to a
default such as the font or page settings, you will receive a prompt to save
the normal.dot.

The "Prompt to Save Normal template was checked. I get no prompt to
save to normal.dot even after making a change in the default settings
(example in other message reply) - Format/Font/set as Default/Say
"Yes" to "all documents based on Normal template". Still, no new
normal template is generated. Reopen Word and the font has not been
changed.

 

[TF]

Under Tools, Options, File Locations what folder is the User Template set
to? That is where normal.dot should reside. By default this is the Documents
and Settings, Username, Application Data, Microsoft, Templates folder. Do
you have that folder and what does it hold?

Terry

: On Wed, 26 Jan 2005 14:14:44 -0000, "TF"
: <terryfarrell%40%6d%73%6e%2ecom> wrote:
:
: >Scott
: >
: >Also go to Tools, Options, Save tab and make sure that Prompt to Save to
: >Normal is checked. Then when you close Word after making a change to a
: >default such as the font or page settings, you will receive a prompt to
save
: >the normal.dot.
:
: The "Prompt to Save Normal template was checked. I get no prompt to
: save to normal.dot even after making a change in the default settings
: (example in other message reply) - Format/Font/set as Default/Say
: "Yes" to "all documents based on Normal template". Still, no new
: normal template is generated. Reopen Word and the font has not been
: changed.

 

[Scott]

Under Tools, Options, File Locations what folder is the User Template set
to? That is where normal.dot should reside. By default this is the Documents
and Settings, Username, Application Data, Microsoft, Templates folder. Do
you have that folder and what does it hold?

Terry

: On Wed, 26 Jan 2005 14:14:44 -0000, "TF"
: <terryfarrell%40%6d%73%6e%2ecom> wrote:
:
: >Scott
: >
: >Also go to Tools, Options, Save tab and make sure that Prompt to Save to
: >Normal is checked. Then when you close Word after making a change to a
: >default such as the font or page settings, you will receive a prompt to
save
: >the normal.dot.
:
: The "Prompt to Save Normal template was checked. I get no prompt to
: save to normal.dot even after making a change in the default settings
: (example in other message reply) - Format/Font/set as Default/Say
: "Yes" to "all documents based on Normal template". Still, no new
: normal template is generated. Reopen Word and the font has not been
: changed.

Set to:

C:\Documents and Setting\UserName\Application Data\Microsoft\Templates

 

[Charles Kenyon]

If you open that folder, can you create a new notepad or word document in
the folder? That is, do you have write permission for this folder?

 

[Scott]

If you open that folder, can you create a new notepad or word document in
the folder? That is, do you have write permission for this folder?

Can save a document to that folder without any problem.

 

[Dian Chapman, MVP, MOS]

Scott...as many Word MVPs have tried to tell you...you DO HAVE a
normal.dot there somewhere. Word will not operate without it. So it IS
in there somewhere.

If you go to Tools > Options > File Locations and click User Templates
and then click Modify, you'll find the path to your templates. Your
Normal.dot will default to that location.

If you can't find it manually, you might want to download this free
utility and open it. A table will be created and it will provide you
with all your Word defaults. One will tell you the default User
Template path...THAT is where your normal.dot will be found. However,
by default, file extensions and some of the folders in that path will
be hidden, so as explained, you need to set those so you can view
them.

Here is the utility:

Word Options Utility
http://www.mousetrax.com/Downloads.html#wordoptions

I'd also suggest you read these two TechTrax articles:

Normal.dot Template - Explained
http://pubs.logicalexpressions.com/Pub0009/LPMArticle.asp?ID=151

The Return of Speed Styling
http://pubs.logicalexpressions.com/Pub0009/LPMArticle.asp?ID=391

(See the section on Modifying Styles in the above article.)

Good luck!

Dian D. Chapman, Technical Consultant
Microsoft MVP, MOS Certified
Editor/TechTrax Ezine

Free Tutorials: http://www.mousetrax.com/techtrax
Free Word eBook: www.mousetrax.com/books.html
Optimize your business docs: www.mousetrax.com/consulting
Learn VBA the easy way: www.mousetrax.com/techcourses.html

 

[Scott]

Scott...as many Word MVPs have tried to tell you...you DO HAVE a
normal.dot there somewhere. Word will not operate without it. So it IS
in there somewhere.

If you go to Tools > Options > File Locations and click User Templates
and then click Modify, you'll find the path to your templates. Your
Normal.dot will default to that location.

If you can't find it manually, you might want to download this free
utility and open it. A table will be created and it will provide you
with all your Word defaults. One will tell you the default User
Template path...THAT is where your normal.dot will be found. However,
by default, file extensions and some of the folders in that path will
be hidden, so as explained, you need to set those so you can view
them.

Here is the utility:

Word Options Utility
http://www.mousetrax.com/Downloads.html#wordoptions

I'd also suggest you read these two TechTrax articles:

Normal.dot Template - Explained
http://pubs.logicalexpressions.com/Pub0009/LPMArticle.asp?ID=151

The Return of Speed Styling
http://pubs.logicalexpressions.com/Pub0009/LPMArticle.asp?ID=391

(See the section on Modifying Styles in the above article.)

Good luck!

Dian D. Chapman, Technical Consultant
Microsoft MVP, MOS Certified
Editor/TechTrax Ezine

Free Tutorials: http://www.mousetrax.com/techtrax
Free Word eBook: www.mousetrax.com/books.html
Optimize your business docs: www.mousetrax.com/consulting
Learn VBA the easy way: www.mousetrax.com/techcourses.html

I am sorry that you feel I have not been paying attention to
everyone's suggestions, but the problem still is just as I have
indicated.

As you suggested, I downloaded the "Word Option Utility", expanded the
ZIP file, and tried to run "WordXPOptionSettings.dot". The first time
it tried to run I had to authorize the installation of the
certificate. I closed Word, and then double-clicked
"WordXPOptionSettings.dot" and Enabled the micro. Word opened, and
nothing is shown - just one blank page.

As suggested earlier, I had gone to Tools > Options > File Locations
and click User Templates. It tells me that my templates are stored in
"C:\Documents and Setting\UserName\Application
Data\Microsoft\Templates" The contents of that folder are viewable in
Windows Explorer and My Computer - they are my other four templates.
No Normal.dot is in that or any other folder.

I have checked the permissions on all the folders leading to User
Templates, and I have full permission to access these and the Template
folder.

And I still can not make any changes to the Word that opens when I
just open the program. It does open with "Normal" as Style, "Times
New Roman" as Font, and 12 as Font Size. When I try to change that
and click Default and agree to make changes to the Normal template,
closing and reopening restores the font back to the original.

Again, sorry, but I know enough to know what I am seeing and to say
that there are no normal.dot templates any where on my hard drive.

And again, the "Word Option Utility" does not work.

Scott

 

[Scott]

I am sorry that you feel I have not been paying attention to
everyone's suggestions, but the problem still is just as I have
indicated.

As you suggested, I downloaded the "Word Option Utility", expanded the
ZIP file, and tried to run "WordXPOptionSettings.dot". The first time
it tried to run I had to authorize the installation of the
certificate. I closed Word, and then double-clicked
"WordXPOptionSettings.dot" and Enabled the micro. Word opened, and
nothing is shown - just one blank page.

As suggested earlier, I had gone to Tools > Options > File Locations
and click User Templates. It tells me that my templates are stored in
"C:\Documents and Setting\UserName\Application
Data\Microsoft\Templates" The contents of that folder are viewable in
Windows Explorer and My Computer - they are my other four templates.
No Normal.dot is in that or any other folder.

I have checked the permissions on all the folders leading to User
Templates, and I have full permission to access these and the Template
folder.

And I still can not make any changes to the Word that opens when I
just open the program. It does open with "Normal" as Style, "Times
New Roman" as Font, and 12 as Font Size. When I try to change that
and click Default and agree to make changes to the Normal template,
closing and reopening restores the font back to the original.

Again, sorry, but I know enough to know what I am seeing and to say
that there are no normal.dot templates any where on my hard drive.

And again, the "Word Option Utility" does not work.

Scott

A short addition to my response above:
I got the "Word Option Utility" to run by going into Tools/Macros,
finding the WordXPOptionSettings.dot and then manually running both
the "SetDocIntro" and the "WhatAreMyOptionsSettings"

Under: "User Templates Path"

IS: " c:\documents and settings\scott ii\application
data\microsoft\templates

Returns default folder for Templates for the currently logged on user.

Again, all of my templates except the Normal.dot are in that folder.

Scott

 

[Charles Kenyon]

.... and in Folder Options for Windows you are set to view hidden and system
folders and files? normal.dot is considered to be a system file by later
versions of Windows.

 

[Scott]

... and in Folder Options for Windows you are set to view hidden and system
folders and files? normal.dot is considered to be a system file by later
versions of Windows.

Yes, that is the setting.

I just moved an old normal.dot from a backup set to the Template
folder. With that, I can then make changes that effect the normal.dot
and that do stick upon reopening Word.

If I am not mistaken, isn't Word, however, supposed to make its own
new normal.dot if there is not one present in the Template folder?
That used to be the trick to repair a damaged Normal template - delete
it and Word would make a new one.

Thanks.

Scott

 

[Charles Kenyon]

That is how Word 2003, on my computer, works. I still suspect it is being
created elsewhere. Have you opened up "My Computer" and used the F3 key to
search for normal.dot?

 

[Dian Chapman, MVP, MOS]

Again, sorry, but I know enough to know what I am seeing and to say

that there are no normal.dot templates any where on my hard drive.

And again, the "Word Option Utility" does not work.

Well, then good luck. I'm not going to argue with you when everyone is
just trying to help. All those fonts are STORED in the Normal.dot and
Word won't work without it. So if you're opening Word, a fact of life
is that normal.dot is SOMEWHERE there, because it is operating Word.
If you're connected to a network, then it might be there.

And the utility does work...hundreds of people have used it and I just
tested it again with no problem. So you probably didn't enable the
code correctly and the macros are disabled.

Good luck!

Dian D. Chapman, Technical Consultant
Microsoft MVP, MOS Certified
Editor/TechTrax Ezine

Free Tutorials: http://www.mousetrax.com/techtrax
Free Word eBook: www.mousetrax.com/books.html
Optimize your business docs: www.mousetrax.com/consulting
Learn VBA the easy way: www.mousetrax.com/techcourses.html

 

[Scott]

That is how Word 2003, on my computer, works. I still suspect it is being
created elsewhere. Have you opened up "My Computer" and used the F3 key to
search for normal.dot?

Yes.

 

[TF]

Dian

This isn't actually true. Since Word XP, normal.dot is not created on a new
installation until a change is made that requires normal.dot to save a
change from the default settings. Such a change is making a change to the
Default font: from what Scott is saying is that when he makes a change from
TNR (default) to something else, it seems to change OK, but when he closes
and reopens Word, it has gone back to the default. At this point there is
still no normal.dot - which would seem logical because no change has taken
place.

My guess is that there is something else at work here such as the User,
Applications, Microsoft, templates folder is Read Only. I'm thinking on this
one.

Terry

: >Again, sorry, but I know enough to know what I am seeing and to say
: >that there are no normal.dot templates any where on my hard drive.
: >
: >And again, the "Word Option Utility" does not work.
:
: Well, then good luck. I'm not going to argue with you when everyone is
: just trying to help. All those fonts are STORED in the Normal.dot and
: Word won't work without it. So if you're opening Word, a fact of life
: is that normal.dot is SOMEWHERE there, because it is operating Word.
: If you're connected to a network, then it might be there.
:
: And the utility does work...hundreds of people have used it and I just
: tested it again with no problem. So you probably didn't enable the
: code correctly and the macros are disabled.
:
: Good luck!
:
: Dian D. Chapman, Technical Consultant
: Microsoft MVP, MOS Certified
: Editor/TechTrax Ezine
:
: Free Tutorials: http://www.mousetrax.com/techtrax
: Free Word eBook: www.mousetrax.com/books.html
: Optimize your business docs: www.mousetrax.com/consulting
: Learn VBA the easy way: www.mousetrax.com/techcourses.html
: