Microsoft KB Archive/319154

= How to rename the Normal.dot global template for Word 2002 =

PSS ID Number: 319154

Article Last Modified on 9/9/2004

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Word 2002

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This article was previously published under Q319154





For a Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 version of this article, see 821715.



IN THIS TASK

 * SUMMARY
 * ** Rename the Word Normal.dot Global Template



SUMMARY
This step-by-step article describes how to rename the Word Normal.dot Global template to prevent loading it when you start Microsoft Word.

To prevent formatting, AutoText, and macros that are stored in the global template (Normal.dot) from affecting the behavior of Word and documents that you open, rename your global template. Renaming this file allows you to quickly determine whether the global template is causing the problem.

NOTE: Renaming the Normal.dot file resets several options back to their default settings, including custom styles, custom toolbars, macros, and AutoText entries. For this reason, Microsoft strongly recommends that you do not delete your Normal.dot file.

Certain kinds of configurations can create more than one Normal.dot file. These situations include cases in which multiple versions of Word are running on the same computer, or cases in which several workstation installations exist on the same computer. In these situations, be sure to rename the correct copy of Normal.dot.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Do not use this procedure until you have read and completed the steps in the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

319299 HOW TO: Use the Troubleshoot Utility for Problems That Occur When You Start or Use Word 2002

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Rename the Word Normal.dot Global Template
To rename the Normal.dot file, follow these steps:  Quit all Office programs. Click Start, point to Programs (in Microsoft Windows XP, point to All Programs), point to Microsoft Office Tools, and then click Word 2002 Support Template. In the Word 2002 Support Template, click Troubleshoot Utility. In the Microsoft Word Troubleshooting Utility dialog box, click Normal.dot Global Template in the Select an Item list, and then click Rename. Click OK when you receive the following message:

\Application Data\Microsoft\Templates\Normal.dot

Copied To

\Application Data\Microsoft\Templates\10Normal.dot

NOTE: The path to your Normal.dot file may be different. Click Close to close the Microsoft Word Troubleshooting Utility dialog box.</li> On the File menu, click Exit to quit Word.</li> Start Word the way that you usually do.

NOTE: Do not use the shortcut under Microsoft Office Tools (click Start and point to Programs).</li></ol>

If Word starts correctly, you resolved the problem. In this case, the problem is a damaged Normal.dot file. You may have to change a few settings to restore your favorite options. If the Normal.dot file that you renamed contains customizations, such as styles, macros, or AutoText entries that cannot be easily re-created, you may be able to copy those customizations from the 10Normal.dot file (your old Normal.dot file) to the new Normal.dot file by using the Organizer.

For more information about how to use the Organizer, click Microsoft Word Help on the Help menu, type organizer in the Office Assistant or the Answer Wizard, and then click Search to view the topics returned.

If the problem is not resolved, restore your old Normal.dot file (10Normal.dot). To do this, follow these steps: <ol> Quit all Office programs.</li> Click Start, point to Programs (in Windows XP, point to All Programs), point to Microsoft Office Tools, and then click Word 2002 Support Template.</li> In the Word 2002 Support Template, click Troubleshoot Utility.</li> In the Microsoft Word Troubleshooting Utility dialog box, click Normal.dot Global Template in the Select an Item list, and then click Restore.</li> Click Yes when you receive the following message:

\Application Data\Microsoft\Templates\Normal.dot

Backup of this file already exists.

Overwrite it?

NOTE: The path to your Normal.dot file may be different.</li> Click OK when you receive the following message:

\Application Data\Microsoft\Templates\10Normal.dot

Copied To

\Templates\Normal.dot

</li> Click Close to close the Microsoft Word Troubleshooting Utility dialog box, and then quit Word.</li></ol>

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Keywords: kbHOWTOmaster KB319154

Technology: kbWord2002 kbWord2002Search kbWordSearch

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