Word 2010 and Template Locations

Anonymous
2011-02-24T03:35:40+00:00

Word 2003 by default saved any document I designated as a template (*.dot) in a predetermined location set up in Location of Files.  I have noted that Word 2010 also saves user templates to a location in Location of Files (oddly it is in a folder called "roaming." something I usually assocate with my cell phone rather than my computer).  However, notwithstanding this setting Word 2010 saves my templates wherever it chooses.  I noticed this after creating a template and then immediately trying to use it--and it wasn't "there."  That is, it did not show up in File/New/Templates.  Gone!  That is, gone until I ran a search for it and found it.  This time I found it in the folder I was working in when I decided to create the new template.  Am  I missing something here?  Is the Location of Files setting subject to other unknown (at least to me) conditions?  There may be fine reasons to choose to store templates in a location different from the setting but since they won't be accessible in the usual way (File/New/Templates etc.) it would probably be a very unique reason.  I lost another template or two previously but I figured it was my own fault for not saving them correcty--until they showed up in the same search! 

Joe McGuire

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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Charles Kenyon 171K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2012-07-13T16:01:51+00:00

I agree with you that having to activate the Developer Tab is a pain as is the routine hiding of both system files and filename extensions.

As to the new form fields, I have mixed feelings. The Add-In from Greg Maxey at Add Classic FormField Controls to Ribbon certainly helps. It essentially gives you the old Forms toolbar in a Ribbon group including the lock toggle.

See also: File New Variations in the Versions of Word

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Suzanne S Barnhill 279.4K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
2011-02-24T05:07:57+00:00

The difference is that Word no longer defaults to the user templates folder when you save a template. This is touted as a benefit, though I don't really see how it is. If you want the template to appear in the New dialog (assuming you've figured out how to even make that appear), you do have to save it in the default template location. There's some info about this at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/924460, but it probably won't tell you more than you have already discovered.

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-05-02T13:56:52+00:00

    Thank you Suzanne. Using Favorites is a good work-around to an inconsistent deficiency by Microsoft across all applications in Office 2010. If PowerPoint and Excel have the default set to the same directory, Word should too. An obviously I am not the only one to highlight this deficiency, and it could (should) easily be fixed in a service release.

    Again, thank you.

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  2. Suzanne S Barnhill 279.4K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2013-05-02T03:18:41+00:00

    Word does use the same folder for templates. That is where you'll find Normal.dotm. And that is where you should store user-created templates. The difference is that Word 2007 and 2010 do not default to that folder when you save a template. Add the template to your Favorites (Windows 7 or Vista) or your Places Bar (Windows XP), and you can easily select it when saving templates.

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-05-02T03:02:44+00:00

    I'd expect that Word 2010 would use the same default directory for templates as does Excel and PowerPoint. It doesn't.

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