Word templates not opening as new documents

Anonymous
2022-02-07T06:40:36+00:00

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/all/word-templates-not-opening-as-new-documents/36dd51b5-b434-4f2b-85be-3db9aebd45eb?page=6

The thread was closed after this last post. Registry edits were suggested. That sounds quite easy compared to dealing with the ongoing file save problem.

Would you please tell me how to manually correct the file associations in the registry?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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  1. Suzanne S Barnhill 279.4K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2022-02-08T02:23:26+00:00

    A .dotm does not, by default, create a .docm. It creates a .docx. If you want a .docm, you have to specify that format when you save the document.

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  2. Anonymous
    2022-02-07T23:21:38+00:00

    I'm surprised you're suggesting I don't understand that after 6 pages of discussion. That concept is very basic and I did not indicate confusion. I simply repeated the open methods you restated and reported the result.

    When not opened in "edit" mode, dotms should open as docms. On my machine they do not.

    Repair was suggested twice and did not solve it.

    Would someone suggest registry edits that would correct the file associations. That's likely the only thing not tried and would seem to address the cause. Thanks.

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  3. Doug Robbins - MVP - Office Apps and Services 323.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2022-02-07T22:46:17+00:00

    A docm file is NOT a template and the default action for that file type is "Open"

    To be treated as a template, a file must be saved as either a Word Template (*.dotx) or Word Macro-Enabled Template (*.dotm) or Word 97-2003 Template (*.dot).

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  4. Charles Kenyon 171.1K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2022-02-07T22:38:52+00:00

    Try an online repair. That usually solves file association problems.

    Repair an Office application - Office Support

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  5. Anonymous
    2022-02-07T21:10:39+00:00

    File\New allows a template to open as a .docm

    Opening a template in Windows Explorer (my essential method) simply edits the template.

    File\Open also edits the template

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