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
    2014-03-31T17:50:39+00:00

    Thanks, Suzanne; good information.

    Actually in a corporate setting that file location doesn't work so well since in our situation we work mostly to specified shared folders between users and tend to leave the c:\users etc. folders alone. Thus we prefer to have our corporate templates in a shared folder which is heavily backed up - and our main gripe with Microsoft is that while we know we can move our default template folder this used to be quite accessible with Office 97 but has become progressively less accessible with later releases.

    My original gripe (which Suzanne answered) is that the screen where one changes the defaults has gotten progressively less accessible in the most recent versions - and the 'help' files weren't too helpful in locating the right screen. As I say, we licked this some time ago but our company isn't big enough to have a full time IT staff and if I'm away I fear for my employees being able to see where these things go.

    I understand Microsoft considers their default file locations fairly convenient for everyday use and that's fine - but my concern (and I'm the one the started this thread quite a long time back) is ease of backup and neither Office 2007 or Office 2010 has been at all user-friendly on that point. It would be an exaggeration to say it's as if Microsoft was trying to prevent backups, but only by a little!

    Needless to say I have strong views on the need for backups!

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-03-31T16:39:51+00:00

    Thanks, Suzanne; good information.

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  3. Suzanne S Barnhill 279.4K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2014-03-31T16:01:50+00:00

    No, not your lack of technical expertise but a radical change in recent versions. As I said, Word used to default to the Templates folder when you saved a file as a template. Now you can save templates anywhere, and, unless you specifically choose the (or a) templates folder, it will be saved in whatever is the current active folder. I'm sure the change was made in response to demand from somebody, but it is disconcerting for the average user.

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