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Word 2007 doesn't load new documents using the normal.dot or normal.dotm template

I've saved changes to both the normal.dot and normal.dotm templates, in the designated file locations for those files within Word.   

But when I open a new document, it doesn't load the normal.dotm template formatting, but some other set of fonts and paragraphing designations.

How do I correct this?

I've used Word for nearly 20 years.  I'm using a new HP computer running Windows 7.   Thank you for your help.

Answer
Answer

How are you creating the new document? If you use Office Button | New | Blank Document, you should get a document based on your Normal.dotm, which should incorporate your changes providing they have actually been saved. Sometimes an add-in (PDF Complete is one notorious culprit) prevents Normal.dotm from actually being saved, and it is necessary either to get rid of the add-in or, as a temporary stopgap, to open Normal.dotm directly for editing. If you think that's the issue, we can provide more help on that.

Alternatively, if you are using a New Office Document shortcut on the Start menu or Desktop in Windows, then there is a known "issue" that documents created that way are based on the default (out-of-the-box) Normal.dotm.

Microsoft MVP (Word) since 1999
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Last updated October 5, 2021 Views 792 Applies to: