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
    2013-05-02T23:48:41+00:00

    Which was pretty much my original point.

    My templates are basically various letterheads and memo blanks in Word and various  inventory and order forms in Excel. They're valuable corporate assets and NEED to be in a folder that gets top priority for backup (i.e. automated) rather than something that only gets it when I backup to the server (which is far less often).

    The REALLY REALLY REALLY frustrating part of it all is that was clearly understood in Word / Excel 97 and has been made more and more difficult to change. Previously it was very easy to make it whatever you needed - not now.

    What I really hate about Microsoft is that they assume their idea of a standard is the only way even though it is not much of a standard when it's NOT "standard" across the various Office programs.

    I'm in charge of a small office and I >need< this stuff somewhere easily and commonly protected. The Office 2010 default locations don't cut it with me - particularly when trying to put them on a server.

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-05-03T02:27:43+00:00

    Thanks, Jay.  As it turns out Show Hidden Files was already checked; that's always been one of my personal "default" settings.  My organization of documents is screwed up beyond belief with Hidden stuff and "virtual" folders being a huge contributor.   (When Community Stars like you start to give up making sense of parts of this software--Word/Office?Windows--it's not a good sign!)

    On re-reading your comments I realize there is a further puzzle.  What I was treating in Windows Explorer as files or folders are apparently not really files and folders at all but "my profile."   This probably makes great sense to somebody in Redmond even if to nobody else.

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  3. Charles Kenyon 171K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2013-05-03T02:32:48+00:00

    Here is a guide to default locations:

    Word 2007 & Later Key Data File Location by Paul Edstein and Charles Kenyon

    Like you, I want to have access to files and be able to find them easily.

    I have a folder in my Documents folder named MS Office System Files.

    That folder contains the following Folder:

    Word 2010

    That folder has the following three folders:

    Templates

    Shared Templates

    Startup

    Those are designated as the User Templates, Workgroup Templates, and Startup folder in Word. When I install a new version of Word I go into options and set that up.

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