My modified normal.dotm template is not always applied

[Jo from Colombia]

I customized the normal.dotm template on Word 2007 to accomodate my favorite
formatting.
When I create a new word document under the usual procedure (opening word
application first), it works just fine. However, I use to create a new word
document by going to the actual folder the word document is going to be,
clicking the mouse's right button, going to the 'New' option then clicking on
'Microsoft Office Word Document', renaming the suggested name for the one I
want and then double clicking on that file. With this procedure, in word
2007, the modified normal.dotm template is not employed but a default one
which seems to be at another file or the software code itself.
Do you know a way to force word 2007 to use my modified normal.dotm for me
to keep using the procedure for creating new docs I am used to?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Regards,

Jofrey

 

[Herb Tyson [MVP]]

I can replicate your experience. It sure looks like a bug to me. The only
time Word should ever use its own internal template is when creating a new
template from scratch. Otherwise, unless you specify a different template,
it should always use your own Normal.dotm.

 

[Jo from Colombia]

Hi Herb,

Thank you for your feedback. How could I report this bug to microsoft?

Regards,

Jofrey

 

[Herb Tyson [MVP]]

I've done some additional research on this. My findings and a partial
work-around are shown here:

http://word2007bible.blogspot.com/2007/04/creating-new-word-12-files-in-windows.html

 

[Jo from Colombia]

Hi Herb,

I read your blog and your suggestions worked just fine.

You mention that a new 'Microsoft Office Word 97 – 2003 Document' option was
available via the Windows Explorer Method. I don't see that option listed in
my XP, only the one I named in my first post. As I have many partners who
still have Office 2003, I have to save the files in this mode and then
sending. If possible, I would like to avoid the Office button and just
clicking the 'diskette icon' as I am used to. By being able to create the
document as a 2003 one since the very beggining I would get this achieved.

Do you know how to add that option to the list of New files from Windows
Explorer?

Thank you very much for your help.

Best Regards,

Jofrey

 

[Herb Tyson [MVP]]

Well... you can make clicking the diskette default to Word 97-2003.
Office->Word Options->Save tab. The very first option lets you set the
default save option. Set this to Word 97-2003 and you'll be all set. If you
ever want .docx, you can head for the Office button. (You can also put Save
As onto the Quick Access Toolbar, if desired, to avoid having to go into the
"Office", so to speak).

Having Word 97-2003 in the WE context menu might show up only if you have
Word 2003 installed. I can't test that theory, though, because I don't have
a computer with only Word 2007 installed -- all of my systems have both 2003
and 2007.