PUB: How to Set Default Text Style (103120)

SUMMARY

Publisher looks for a file named Normal.pub each time you create a new publication using Start From Scratch (version 2.0) or Blank Page (version 3.0 and 97). If Normal.pub exists, its default settings are applied to the new publication.

There is no Normal.pub file in the default Publisher installation. However, when you create and save this file using the following procedure, Normal.pub is placed in the Template directory.

If you want to change the default font in Publisher, you will have to first create a template named Normal.pub that includes the custom changes. It is possible to set a default text style in Microsoft Publisher. Each new text frame will default to this style after it is set.

MORE INFORMATION

To set the default text style:

In Publisher, choose New Publication from either the initial Start Up screen or from the File menu.
Select the text tool from the tool palette.
Choose the font and point size for the default setting. Example Arial 20pt.
From the File menu, choose Save.
Save the file with the following name.
Publisher 3.0 and 97
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<drive>\Program Files\Publisher\Template\Normal.Pub
Publisher 2.0
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<drive>:\<Publisher template directory>\NORMAL.PUB
where <drive> is the your hard drive letter and <Publisher template directory> is your Publisher directory (MSPUB by default), then into the template which is located under the Publisher directory.
Choose OK.
From the File menu, choose Close.

Now, when you open any new files the default text will be set to the new settings. ie Arial 20pt.

Publisher 3.0 and 97, unlike Publisher 2.0a, does not have a default Templates folder, unless you installed version 3.0 over Publisher 2.0 or 2.0a. However, creating and saving a Normal.pub file, following the above procedure, will create a Templates folder if one does not exist or will add the Normal.pub file to an existing Templates folder.

In either case, the Normal.pub file will provide the default font and font size for new publications created using the Start From Scratch (Publisher 2.0) or Blank Page (Publisher 3.0 and 97) option. This is referenced in Appendix A (pages 365-370) of the "Microsoft Publisher User's Guide."