How to create a template in Microsoft Word 2003 and Microsoft Word 2007

There may be a time where you will need to create a document that has the same overall structure but slightly different content. It is possible to copy the document over and over and alter the content but the there is a simpler way of achieving the same result. The way to do this is to create a template within Microsoft Word.

Microsoft Word 2003

1. Open Microsoft Word 2003.
2. Create the document with all of the standard formatting and content that will need to be repeated for every document i.e. your company logo, address, reference etc.
3. When you are satisfied with the above, go to File>Save As
4. The 'Save As' dialogue window will be displayed for you to browse to the location you want to save the template.
5. Once you have chosen a location give the document a name in the 'File Name' field and then select 'Document Template' from the 'Save As Type' drop down menu below.
6. Click the 'Save' button.
7. Close the template

You will now see that your template has appeared in the location you selected earlier. If you double click this icon you will be presented with a new document that will be identical to your template. You can save this document as required without altering the original template.

Microsoft Word 2007

1. Open Microsoft Word 2007.
2. Create the document with all of the standard formatting and content that will need to be repeated for every document i.e. your company logo, address, reference etc.
3. When you are satisfied with the above, go to 'The office button' (Top left contains the office logo) and left click.
4. Select 'Save As'> Word Template
5. The 'Save As' dialogue window will be displayed for you to browse to the location you want to save the template.
6. Once you have chosen a location give the document a name in the 'File Name' field.
7. By default Micrsoft Word 2007 will show Word Template (*.dotx) in the 'Save As Type' drop down menu which can only be read by other computers that are running Microsoft Word 2007. If you require any version of Word to be able to use this template then you should select 'Word 97-2003 Template(*.dot).
8. Click the 'Save' button.
9. Close the template

You will now see that your template has appeared in the location you selected earlier. If you double click this icon you will be presented with a new document that will be identical to your template. You can save this document as required without altering the original template.