How to prevent changes to normal.dotm

[PeterHS]

We are using Word 2007 and we want that all users use the same (standard)
normal.dotm (standard looks and easy making changes like new macro's and so
on).

I set the same template folder for all users and they all use the same
Normal.dotm, but when someone accidently make a change (or the dymo
labelwriter makes it every time), when leaving Word he is prompted to save
normal.dotm which I don't want him to do and is also not possible, while
other users are using te same file (this gives many unwanted messages). Also
when the user is the only user he changes te standard.

I tried making normal.dotm read only but this doesn't work (error messages).

Does anyone know a solution?

Many thanks
Peter

 

[Graham Mayor]

No! No! No! You cannot share the Normal.dot file among multiple users in
Word http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=811468/ Although written for earlier
versions, the same applies for Word 2007.

The normal template is a personal user setting. If you want to supply macros
and layouts do so with document and/or add-in templates.

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Graham Mayor - Word MVP


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[PeterHS]

Thanks for your respons and i got the same messages from someone else. I
understand what the "correct use" is and worked in situations where personal
normal.dot files where used (and needed).

But in this situation we work terminal server with 10 users who all do the
same
work en we want to all use the same (optimized) standard procedures. The
problem is that when we dissided it's better to use a new style, or something
like that i have to open a session for every user to change the settings. i
can
give everyone a new copy of normal.dotm (thats no problem in our situation),
but when you let people also make there own changes in Normal.dotm, then they
wil not like the last option verry much.

My experience is that different normal.dotm files gives manny questions why
computers don't behave the same.

I also thouht of using global add-ins for macro's but is this also posible
for styles etc. It makes the whole situation more complex (more files and
different settings for users) wich makes my work "more interesting".

I just discused it here and we think we will work with global templates, but
also change the loginscript, so everyone gets the standard normal.dotm when
he logs in.

I also take this change to ask you for some more information. Is there a
list of things that are set in normal.dotm (and also in normalemail.dotm) and
wich are set in the registry. In the last years some are clear for me, but
lot off
them aren't (by example themes in word and outlook2007). I found where they
are stored, but where is stored wich is standard (registry or
normal(email).dotm).

And to make it more complex whats in normalemail.dotm and what is in
mail.oft.

I know that this is not realy the right topic, but i hope you know the
answer's. (one fool can ask more then 10 wise people).

Peter

 

[Graham Mayor]

The simple answer to your problems is to create a document template for each
of the document types that your users produce and train them to select the
required template for that document. The template(s) can contain the macros
and styles they require to produce the finished document. You can use the
log-in script to copy the standard template(s) to the user template folder.
Leave the normal templates alone!

It makes for much better productivity if users can setup their own workspace
to suit their required work habits. You as support person are there to make
their jobs easier, not the otherway round.
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Graham Mayor - Word MVP


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[PeterHS]

I totaly agree with you that the job for support is to support people.

I used the method yoy discrebe here for the last 3 years. I made a template
of every standard document and placed them in "workgroup templates". I also
made a menu button wich people can click and opens the list so they can
choose the standarddocument, in the templates a made macro's and so on. I
think this way of all using workgroup templates is better then to copy the
workgroep templates to every user.

But for everyone making his own habitat. My colleges are aubout 40 years old
and veryy good in orginazing building homes and factory's. They don't like
computers verry much and ask (demand) to please setup there computers so they
can work as simple as posible. They are not interested in learing to change
settings or what options there are they say "thats your job peter thats where
you paid for""

When i came here 4 years ago there was no e-mail and the selution for every
computer problem was to pull the powercord from every computer (including
servers). Word was used like a typewriter, no bullet lists, no tabs, no
header/footer, and so on.

So i try to interest them and make it easyer for them, but its a long proces.

Peter

 

[Graham Mayor]

Perhaps a re-introduction of the typewriter is called for - or the hiring of
a secretary?

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Graham Mayor - Word MVP


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