Can't change default style in Word

Yes, that is a different approach to editing the NORMAL.DOTM directly, but it accomplishes the same thing. Any setting changes you apply this way will be saved. Well, ones that are actually saved in NORMAL.DOTM.

Settings are saved in several other places: the registry, *.ACL (spelling), Building Blocks.DOTM (for autotext type entries), *.THMX (theme formatting) etc. It is hard to find documentation specifying where everything is saved.  Especially since it is changing from one version to the next.

I tried this and it seemed to work. It's different from the way I have done it in the past. Here is what I did to change from "Normal" to "No Spacing":

Open a Word document.

Click on File.

Click on Open.

Click on Templates.

Double-click on Normal.dotm.

Click on "No Spacing".

Click on File.

Click on Save.

Click on the "X" in the upper right corner to close the document.

Then the next time I opened a Word document, it showed "No Spacing".

This is the only setting I have tried to change, but hopefully this method would work for other settings as well.

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Indeed, opening the Normal template from within the Open dialog box also works (the trick with the Visual Basic Editor helps if you are having troubles finding the Normal template).

Note that while applying a different style (No Spacing in this case) to the blank paragraph in Normal does work, it will be more reliable to change the document defaults.

Hi, I keep going round in circles on this one. I've tried a Repair to Office 2010 too just in case there was an issue, but that made no difference. Looks like I'll have to try some of the deeper troubleshooting tips you've all been kind enough to send me.

When I try to edit Normal.dotm I save the changed file and close down the document Word has opened up. When I re-launch Word I keep getting the window on the left of the screen telling me the Normal file has been recovered and asking me whether I want to save it. Both clicking on that file or closing that window without clicking on the file have the same effect - i.e. none whatsoever and the line spacing is back to where I started. I suppose I could always try to remove Office 2010 from my system and re-install it, but it's getting ridiculous when I have to contemplate that action.

I'll let you know how I get on.

Thank you to all who have responded - much appreciated.

Hi, I keep going round in circles on this one. I've tried a Repair to Office 2010 too just in case there was an issue, but that made no difference. Looks like I'll have to try some of the deeper troubleshooting tips you've all been kind enough to send me.

When I try to edit Normal.dotm I save the changed file and close down the document Word has opened up. When I re-launch Word I keep getting the window on the left of the screen telling me the Normal file has been recovered and asking me whether I want to save it. Both clicking on that file or closing that window without clicking on the file have the same effect - i.e. none whatsoever and the line spacing is back to where I started. I suppose I could always try to remove Office 2010 from my system and re-install it, but it's getting ridiculous when I have to contemplate that action.

I'll let you know how I get on.

Thank you to all who have responded - much appreciated.

This is different from my version of Word.  I don't get a message that Normal.dotm has been recovered. 

I am using: 

Microsoft Office Home and Student 2010

Version:  14.0.6129.5000 (32-bit)

I think I have all the latest updates. 

Hope this helps.