WD6X: Word for the Macintosh Ignores New, Copied Normal Template (139116)

SYMPTOMS

After you copy the Normal template and Word Settings (6) files from one computer to another computer for use with Microsoft Word, Word ignores the transferred template.

The new template is ignored even if you place it in the Templates folder and you place the Word Settings (6) file in the Preferences folder.

If you restart Word and make changes to the File Locations setting, Word may overwrite your transferred template.

CAUSE

This happens when the two computers have the Templates folders in different paths. For example, consider the following scenario:

   Computer      Template folder location
   --------      ------------------------

   Computer A    Hard Drive A:Word:Templates

   Computer B    Hard Drive B:Applications:Office:Templates

When you copy the Word Settings (6) file from Computer A to Computer B, and you use Word on Computer B, Word cannot find the Templates folder as specified in the Word Settings (6) file. At this point the File location settings are blank in the Word Settings (6) file.

Because Word can't find the specified Templates folder, it does not see the new Normal template in the Templates folder. If you quit Word at this point, Word creates a new Normal template (usually in the same folder the Word application is in).

Note that if you have placed the transferred Normal template in the same folder that Word uses as its default File Location, and Word creates a new Normal template in this folder, by the new template overwrites your original unless you say otherwise.

RESOLUTION

If you start Word and change the setting for the User Templates folder (in the File Locations tab of the Options dialog box) to reflect the correct location of the transferred template, Word will use the transferred Normal. To make sure your transferred Normal is recognized and not overwritten, follow these steps.

Place the transferred Normal template in the Templates folder and the Word Settings (6) file in the Preferences Folder in the System Folder.
Start Word.
On the Tools menu, click Options. Click the File Locations tab.
Click User Templates and click Modify.
Select the correct folder (usually the Templates folder) in the Options list.
Click Use Selected Folder.
Click the Save tab.
Select "Prompt to Save Normal." Click OK.
Click Close.
Quit Word.
When prompted to replace the existing Normal template, click No.
When the Save Current Document As dialog box appears, click Cancel.

The next time you start Word, the transferred Normal template will be used.