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
    2017-04-04T14:45:36+00:00

    My templates are saved here: C:\Users\owner\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates 

    Substitute your name where I have "owner."

    This is the default location for the User Templates folder. That is the folder that holds the normal template. Through Word 2003, it was also the default location for storage of a new template. Word 2007 and 2010 would store templates wherever the current document save location is set.

    Beginning with Word 2013, users are given the opportunity to name a location for storage of the user's custom templates. By default it is not this folder. It is, however, the location where Word will look when looking for custom templates. The user can change this to be the same location as the folder holding the normal template.

    File New Variations in the Versions of Word

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-04-04T14:16:35+00:00

    MS: Tell us what we can do to improve the article

    Me: Add the clause: "We realise it seems utterly insane that templates aren't automatically saved to the templates folder, and you're probably wondering why we've made it as hard as possible for you to find the template folder yourself unless you immediately associate the word 'template' with 'roaming', but in fact this is a brilliant idea because… [I have no idea how this sentence ends]"

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  3. Doug Robbins - MVP - Office Apps and Services 323.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2015-03-07T23:01:35+00:00

    Yes, that is what you would have to do.

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