Normal frustration

[Francis Hookham]

Where is the Normal template?



I have looked for it many times.



Nor could I find it on a friend's PC today.



We both use XP and Word 2002.



In anticipation - thank you.



Francis Hookham

 

[Dav]

Hi Francis

On the Task Pane click General Template
In the opened window right-click on your Normal.dot and check the location.

I hope it helps.

Greetings from France

Dav

 

[Francis Hookham]

Thanks Dav but.



I take it you mean the 'Styles and Formatting task pane' accessed via Format

Styles and Formatting.

Mine does not have 'General Template' to right click.



Is there another Task Pane?



Please keep with me - I must crack it this time.



Francis

with greetings from Cambridge, UK



PS

Apologies for posting this in the VBA group where I am much more at home
than with a simple thing like Normal!

It was meant to be on the 'Newusers' group which I feel like although I am
not a new user after so many years.

 

[Lene Fredborg]

You can always locate Normal.dot as follows:
Select Tools > Options > File Locations tab. Normal.dot is found in the
location specified as the "User templates" path. If you click on "User
templates" in the list, you can click the "Modify" button to identify the
full path. If you have not changed the path, it is most likely:
C:\Documents and Settings\[user name]\Application Data\Microsoft\Templates

See the following article for details about how to find and open Normal.dot:
http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/AppErrors/BlankDocNotBlank.htm

--
Regards
Lene Fredborg
DocTools - Denmark
www.thedoctools.com
Document automation - add-ins, macros and templates for Microsoft Word

 

[Jean-Paul Darcis]

Two approaches:

1/ Trying to understand the organization of Word files by going into
Tools, Options, File Location, User Templates: this will show you where
you Normal template is. Remember that, for reasons known to MS only, the
options menu of Tools can be accessed only if at least document is open.

2/ Use any search utility in your OS and look for Normal.dot.

I can understand how frustating it is to start looking for what others
consider as obvious, but remember, we all started where you are.

Regards
--
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Jean-Paul Darcis
Keep your documents and emails lean and efficient!
Focus on the content, not on fluff, and zip!
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

 

[Graham Mayor]

Normal.dot is a hidden file in the folder defined at tools > oprions > file
locations > user templates.
You need to search for hidden files!

--
<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>
Graham Mayor - Word MVP


<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>

 

[Dav]

Hi Francis

Just to precise.

The Task Pane can display diferent things.
On the top of it you'll find a down arrow wich display a list of what can be
shown in the pane.

Dav

 

[Francis Hookham]

Normal frustration continues



Thanks everyone but I am still frustrated (by my own stupidity!)



1

Neither Windows Desktop Search nor Copernic sees Normal.dot

I tried saving a template named 'Normal2.dot' and searches did not find
that.

I tried again saving a template containing the text 'zxcvasdf' and could not
find that.



2

I have changed the Hidden files and folders setting to show hidden folders
which did not help.



3

All my attempts to find/search result in finding the word as text within a
document.



4

I do not seem to be able to find the old 'Find Files and Folders' facility.
I thought of uninstalling Windows Desktop Search (is it as good as Copernic
anyway?) but I was put off by a warning about other programmes not running
properly if I carried on.



5

Saving a file as a template, 'Save in:' shows me the file path:

Desktop

My computer

Francis's documents

Shared documents

Local disc (C

Documents and settings

Francis Hookham

Application data

Microsoft

Templates



but I cannot follow that sequence in Explorer



I feel such a fool to be fooled by this.



Francis

 

[Jonathan West]

Saving a file as a template, 'Save in:' shows me the file path:

Desktop

My computer

Francis's documents

Shared documents

Local disc (C

Documents and settings

Francis Hookham

Application data

Microsoft

Templates



but I cannot follow that sequence in Explorer

Hi Francis

The reason you can't follow that sequence in Explorer is because the
Application Data folder is a hidden folder.

In Windows Explorer, go to Tools, Folder Options. On the dialog that
appears, click the View tab. In the Advanced Settings box there is an option
"Show Hidden Files and Folders". Check that option and then click OK.

You should now be able to navigate to the correct folder.

 

[Francis Hookham]

Thank you Jonathan - frustration gone
- especially now I have a 'Templates' shortcut on the desktop.

One connected question - as a test I deliberately saved a template named 'Normal3' in which the text 'zxcvasdf' appeared. Neither Copernic nor Windows Desktop Search would find it nor will either find the file by name. I'm a bit perplexed by that - any comments.

Anyway many thanks for cracking the missing 'Normal' problem.

Francis