Re-creating the [Template Section] of the MSWORKS3.INI File (121622)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Works 3.0
  • Microsoft Works 3.0a
  • Microsoft Works 3.0b
This article was previously published under Q121622

SUMMARY

If you cannot open a template, receive error messages when trying to access templates, or have a blank template list in Works for Windows, you may need to rebuild the [Template Section] of the MSWORKS3.INI file or the entire MSWORKS3.INI file.

Creating a new MSWORKS3.INI file returns all of your Works settings to their defaults. As a result, before building a new MSWORKS3.INI file, try re-creating just the [Template Section] of your existing MSWORKS3.INI file. If that doesn't correct the problem, then you will need to create a new MSWORKS3.INI file.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Rebuild the [Template Section]

  1. Open the MSWORKS3.INI file in a text editor such as Notepad.
  2. Delete the [Template Section], including the [Template Section] header.
  3. Save the changes to the MSWORKS3.INI file and close the file.
  4. In Program Manager, open the Microsoft Works for Windows group and double-click the Microsoft Works Setup icon. This will run the Works 3.0 Setup in maintenance mode.
  5. Choose the Reinstall button.
  6. In Works 3.0, choose Open An Existing Document from the Startup screen.
  7. Open your saved custom templates. They are located in the WKSTMPL directory and have the name

    TMPL<number>.<EXT>

    where <number> is the order in which the custom template file was created and <EXT> is the extension. Works uses the following extensions:

    .PS for the Word Processor
    .KS for the Spreadsheet
    .DB for the Database

    For example, if the first custom template file created was a Word Processor file, the filename would be:

    TMPL1.PS

    NOTE: Make sure the List Files Of Type box is set to "All Files (*.*)" to make it easier to find the documents.

    NOTE: Template files with numbers greater than 800 (for example, TMPL801.DB) are files installed by Works.
  8. For each template, choose Save As from the File menu.
  9. Select the Template button, then give each template a unique name.

Steps to Rebuild the MSWORKS3.INI

  1. Rename your MSWORKS3.INI file (located in the WINDOWS directory) to MSWORKS3.OLD.
  2. Restart Works for Windows. Works automatically creates a new MSWORKS3.INI file when it doesn't find an existing one.
  3. Exit Works.
  4. Rebuild the [Template Section] of the MSWORKS3.INI file using the steps above. Begin with step 4 in the process.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:9/25/2003
Keywords:kbhowto KB121622
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.