Unwanted Footnote Appearing in New Blank Documents (Normal Template?) (Word for Mac)

[jonagold]

Whenever I create a new blank document in Word (v.X for Mac), it opens
with a footnote already created in this otherwise blank document. I
have no idea why Word has suddenly started doing this, as I didn't set
it up this way. Is it the Normal template that has somehow
inadvertently been altered? If so, how can I fix this without losing
the things that I've added to the Normal template (i.e., keyboard
shortcuts)? And if it's something other than the Normal template,
again how can I fix this?

While we're on the subject, how can I back up the keyboard shortcuts
that I have created and move them to my laptop?

Thank you!!

 

[Beth Rosengard]

Hi jonagold,

See in line.

Whenever I create a new blank document in Word (v.X for Mac), it opens
with a footnote already created in this otherwise blank document. I
have no idea why Word has suddenly started doing this, as I didn't set
it up this way. Is it the Normal template that has somehow
inadvertently been altered? If so, how can I fix this without losing
the things that I've added to the Normal template (i.e., keyboard
shortcuts)? And if it's something other than the Normal template,
again how can I fix this?

Open your Normal template (/Applications/Microsoft Office
X/Templates/Normal). Delete the footnote. Close Normal and Save going out.

While we're on the subject, how can I back up the keyboard shortcuts
that I have created and move them to my laptop?

Keyboard shortcuts (unless you have saved them in a Custom Template) are
stored in the Normal Template. The only way to transfer them to the laptop,
then, would be to copy your desktop's Normal Template over to the laptop,
replacing the pre-existing Normal.

You'd be better off saving your keyboard shortcuts to a Custom Template and
making it a Global Template so the shortcuts are available to all documents.
Then you could copy over just the Custom/Global Template to the laptop and
not have to replace it's own Normal. If you've never customized the
laptop's Normal, then this isn't a problem.

However ... The Normal Template tends to corrupt and if you ever have to
replace it with a default Normal, you will lose all your keyboard shortcuts
regardless. Unlike some other customizations, they cannot be copied over
using Organizer. Custom templates, on the other hand, *very* rarely
corrupt.

I suggest you check out this article ­
<http://word.mvps.org/MacWordNew/BackUpPrefs.htm> ­ and click on its links
to learn more.

Post back if you get into trouble.

--
***Please always reply to the newsgroup!***

Beth Rosengard
Mac MVP

Mac Word FAQ: <http://word.mvps.org/MacWordNew/index.htm>
Entourage Help Page: <http://www.entourage.mvps.org>

 

[jonagold]

Thanks for your help! I will try all and report back if any problems.

Jonathan