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
    2012-01-12T17:45:37+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.

    I don't see how that's a plus either. When I create a user template I want it to go where I directed and no other. Anybody here think that your company's "user templates" (for instance our letterhead) DOESN'T require backup? If it's buried 5 or 6 levels deep in a folder that may or may not get backed up regularly that's a problem - if it's in a folder (which in our case is d:<companyname>\templates) it gets backed up daily. Which would YOU prefer?

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  2. Charles Kenyon 171K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2012-01-12T18:20:48+00:00

    My company letterhead is in the workgroup templates on the server. A template in either that location or the user templates will appear in the File New dialog. One in "Documents" will not.

    Both the workgroup templates and the user templates should be regularly backed up. One set of templates is for personal use and modification. The other is for use throughout a company or department.

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  3. Suzanne S Barnhill 279.4K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2012-01-12T20:25:48+00:00

    I have to admit that when I'm creating a template for a client (which is not a service I advertise and something I do only under duress and therefore infrequently), I usually save the template in the client's document folder since it's not a template I personally am going to be using. If I want to create a new document based on it, for testing purposes, I can right-click and choose New instead of Open (in Word's Open dialog).

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