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. Doug Robbins - MVP - Office Apps and Services 323.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2022-02-09T10:22:04+00:00

    If you send me a copy of the macro-enabled template, referencing this thread in the covering email message, I will investigate the issue.

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  2. Doug Robbins - MVP - Office Apps and Services 323.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2022-02-08T13:17:35+00:00

    Double left clicking on a Template in the File Explorer, creates a new document based on that template. Until you save that document, it does not have a particular file type. However as a Reference is created to the template, any macros that are in the template are available for use with the document, and that is the case, even if it is saved as a docx document.

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  3. Stefan Blom 353.5K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2022-02-08T07:53:58+00:00

    Double-clicking a *.dotm (macro-enabled template) would create an untitled document based on the *.dotm in question. If something else happens, then something is likely wrong with the default action for the file type.

    Note that any untitled document will save to the default file format that has been specified at File > Options > Save. This is how it works with the Normal template which is always a macro-enabled template (using the extension *.dotm).

    Does your custom, macro-enabled template contain any code and what does that code do?

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  4. Doug Robbins - MVP - Office Apps and Services 323.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2022-02-08T05:50:04+00:00

    I stated a fact. I was not suggesting anything.

    And, here are some more facts about the behavior of Word.

    There is NOTHING to be corrected and nothing can be done in the Registry to change the way Word works in respect of what happens when templates are opened or documents are created from templates.

    If you open a .dotm file. you are opening the template. You are NOT creating a new document from the Template and the file that you have open will be a macro enabled template.

    Using File>New and selecting a Template, or double clicking on a Template in the File Explorer (either a dotx or dotm) creates a new document that by default will be saved as a docx file UNLESS you specifically change the file type in the Save As dialog.

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  5. 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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