[4Katie]

I've searched and searched, but the instructions I find for changing the 'default' spacing of the tab stops really only changes them in that document - it doesn't change the default settings.

Does anyone know how to permanently change the tab stops in Word 2007, so that they're changed in every new document?

Thanks so much!

[4Katie]

Hours of searching finally paid off:


Open a new document
Choose 'Trusted Templates' from the list on the left
Choose normal.dotm
Paragraph
Indents & Spacing
Click on the 'Tabs' button on the lower left
Set your tab stop position or default tab stops
Click 'Set'
Click 'Okay'
Save (not Save As) the document

Finally!!!

[Greg_Ottawa]

I'd like to fine-tune those instructions:

1) Have Word open without any documents open

2) Click the "Office Button" (top left corner) and select "Open".

3) Select "Trusted Templates" in the pane on the left.

4) Select the "Normal.dotm" item; click the "Open" button.

5) Open the "Paragraph" dialog box by clicking the down-right arrow in the Paragraph section of the ribbon.

6) Ensure you are on the "Indents and Spacing" tab in this dialog box. Click the "Tabs..." button on the lower left.

7) Set your tab stop position and/or default tab stops.

8) Click the 'Set' button if it is active. Click "Ok"

9) Click the "Office Button" (top left corner) and select "Save" (not "Save As").

You're done.

[RetiredEngineer]

The preceding procedure to modify Normal.dotm may be for Office 2010, because the visual cues in Office 2007 are a bit different. However, reconfiguring Normal.dotm can still be done.

1) Open Word 2007 with no other Word documents open.

2) Click Orb > Open.

3) Navigate to C:\Users\Bozo\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates.

4) Open Normal.dotm.

5) The open Document1.docx document will be replaced by Normal.dotm.

6) Reset Tab stops -- or anything else -- to your liking.

7) Click Orb > Save.

8) Close the Normal.dotm window.

9) Now every Word document you launch will have your Tab stops, and any other changes you've made.