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. Charles Kenyon 171K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2013-09-07T07:18:13+00:00

    I haven't read all the replies so maybe this was already mentioned - but I came here looking for the answer but found it on my own.  If you copy your custom templates form an earlier version of word into C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates   Those templates will appear when you are in Word 2010 and press File>New  and then look for the My Templates folder on the top row under "Available templates." 

    This is correct on recent operating systems using defaults. Templates placed in the Workgroup Templates folder will also appear in the File > New dialog.

    Templates in Microsoft Word

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-09-07T07:04:25+00:00

    I haven't read all the replies so maybe this was already mentioned - but I came here looking for the answer but found it on my own.  If you copy your custom templates form an earlier version of word into C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates   Those templates will appear when you are in Word 2010 and press File>New  and then look for the My Templates folder on the top row under "Available templates."

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  3. Suzanne S Barnhill 279.4K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2013-06-25T16:28:56+00:00

                   

    See Suzanne's post on making the templates folder available as a favorite. On my browser that is on the second page of the thread.

    I believe this will be the same in any browser. The forums put 10 replies on a page, regardless of length. This can sometimes make for a very long "page," requiring a lot of scrolling, which is why I make it a point to clear unnecessary quoted text from very old posts that were posted via the Bridge before we figured out that we had to omit quoting, signatures, etc. And of course Rohn007's posts make any page longer!

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