Letterheads in Word - two questions

Making a template is the better way, but now you need to know how to use the template.

Do not "open" the template unless you intend to make changes in the template. Instead, use the File > New > My Templates command and select the template in the resulting dialog. That creates a separate document based on the template. That does not change the template (it's opened in the background, but you won't see it or be able to edit it in this session).

The document will initially have the name Document1 (or some higher number). When you click Save the first time for the document, you'll automatically be shown the Save As dialog, and you should save it with a name that indicates the letter's purpose. You won't even get the chance to overwrite the template accidentally.

In the template, insert a CREATEDATE field (from the Insert > Quick Parts > Field dialog). When you see the field in the template, it will show the date when you first saved the template. Each time you create a document based on the template, the field there will show the date of creation of that specific document, not that of the template.

You've changed your question and did not follow the basic advice. The basic advice was to create a template. A template would be a .dotx or .dotm file, not a .docx file.

Templates in Microsoft Word

This is essential to your solution.

Here is another link on letterheads.

How can I get a different header/footer on the second page?

Note that you can use a StyleRef field in your continuation header to capture information put on the first page and display in in the header/footer. You do not want your users to have to directly edit your headers or footers; you are apparently requiring both. You should be using MacroButton Field prompts or Content Controls for your variable information on the first page. There is no reason I know of to have content controls in a footer.

I do not know what the image file you are using is, but it seems to be what is causing the problems upon opening.

Sorry for the confusion. You posted your question in an unrelated thread, leading to my previous answer.

The previous answer still provides information you need.

However, you are unlikely to get as good an answer as you could get tagging an unrelated (seemingly) question onto an existing thread. You need to start a new question to get the best answers.

Jay's answer about incompatibility of these features, though, is solid. You can use one or the other, not both. You do not seem to be using any form of protection in your sample document.

Thanks for the replies.  I haven't been able to get to the template stuff yet.