Macros/Templates - Message: Save changes to normal.dot

[jared]

I am running Word 2002 on XP.
I've also installed WinFax 10.<something> - works with XP
When I start word I get prompt asking if I wish to enable
macros to permit the WinFax add-ins to work, apparently
these are incorporated in a template WFWRD2K2.DOT. I had
to reduce macro security to medium to let usnigned macros
work, but results in the prompt at start-up. This raises
question why are macros in WinFax template not signed so I
don't have to be bothered with this on every start-up.

But more bothersome is that everytime I close word I get
message that needs to save changes to Normal.dot, even if
I have not done any editing (have not even opened a file).
I dont ever want to save changes to Normal.dot unless I
open Normal.dot and edit it directly. Isnt there way to
stop this (I dont want changes saved to Normal.dot and
dont want prompt).

As a further aside, I noticed that the help on templates
was pretty brief and hard to fully - e.g. makes ref to
start-up folder but never says where that is or how to
locate?

Sorry I am a little frustrated.
Would greatly appreciate help.
Thanks.

 

[Shauna Kelly]

Hi Jared

The startup folder in question is the one listed at Tools > Options >
File Locations under Startup. If a template is stored in that folder,
then it will be automatically loaded whenever Word starts, and you won't
get a macro security warning. You will find it listed at Tools >
Templates and Add-Ins.

The prompt to save normal.dot arises if Word detects that a change to
normal.dot has been made. It's possible that the WinFax template is
changing something in normal.dot (eg creating a toolbar). If so, it's a
badly-behaved template that should be sent to its room and told it won't
be allowed out in public until it has better manners.

If you don't need to use WinFax from Word, you could delete the .dot
file, or, more conservatively, move it somewhere out of Word's reach
(that is, away from any folder listed at Tools > Options > File
Locations and also away from the Office startup directory, which is
probably where it is now).

Hope this helps.

Shauna Kelly. Microsoft MVP.
http://www.shaunakelly.com/word
Melbourne, Australia