Templates

[Guest]

My Current Understanding....correct me if I am wrong.
When saving templates (dot Extension) in either Excel or Word 2003 I can
save them so they appear in the Template dialog box. The Template can be
opened from the dialogue box accessed "Templates On My Computer".
Or
I can browse anywhere within my computer and creat a custom folder to save
the templates.

Question 1
Is there a way to save the templates in a tabbed "Template Dialog" but have
them available to every computer on a network.

Question 2
What is considered the best practice with respect to templates for
multiusers on a network with respect to peronalising for individuals but at
the same time taking into account the possible need for modification.

Question 3
I would appreciate any other suggestions that would be worth considering.

Thanks in advance

 

[Guest]

I meant Xlt Extension in Excel not dot.....

 

[Dave Peterson]

#1. For each user who needs to have access to the templates:

Open MSWord
Tools|Options|File Locations tab
And change workgroup templates to what you want.

Excel will use that setting, too.

#2. I have no idea what you're doing, but maybe you could use an addin that has
a few macros that do the customization that you want. Or maybe something in the
auto_open/workbook_open procedure???

#3. I used to weasel on this. I don't see too much difference between a .xlt
file and a .xls file that can't be saved. I would create a .xls file on a
common network folder. I'd mark it as Readonly (using Windows explorer) and
save it marked readonly.

Then I'd keep a backup -- just in case someone deleted that file.

The users would just open the file to use it. Since the file was readonly, they
had to save it somewhere else.

 

[Guest]

Hi Dave
Thanks for the reply.

Quote
I have no idea what you're doing, but maybe you could use an addin that has
a few macros that do the customization that you want.
Question 1
I wasn't being specific, just seeking suggestions for good practice to
follow regardin the use of templates. I currently used VBA to open the
Template Dialog but this is only on my computer. I am interested in your
suggestion about using an addins.....if you don't mind me asking....what
addins have you found useful?

Quote
I don't see too much difference between a .xlt file and a .xls file that
can't be saved.
Question
I am not sure I understand what you mean by can't be saved.
I use the Xlt extension because it opens as a xls and saves as an
xls...preventing the xlt from being overwritten by other users accessing it
at the same time.
Can you elaborate a little
Thanks

 

[Dave Peterson]

#1. There are lots of useful addins. But I've found the most useful for any
particular problem is one that was written for that problem=--their home grown.

#2. Actually, when you create a new workbook based on a template, the file
doesn't open as a .xls file. It'll only get that extension when you save the
workbook. And you're hoping that the user doesn't overwrite that template when
they save the file.

If a .xls file is marked readonly, when a user opens that file, then the user
can't overwrite that file (without doing something special). This is pretty
much what your template accomplishes, too.

======
If you want generic useful addins:
John Walkenbach's PUP Utilities:
http://j-walk.com/ss/pup/pup7/index.htm
(Other versions have links on that page)

ASAP Utilities:
http://www.asap-utilities.com/

Jim Cone's:
http://www.realezsites.com/bus/primitivesoftware/products.php

Ron de Bruin has a few specific purpose addins here:
http://rondebruin.nl
(emailing, merging, searching google, easyfiltering, ...)

There's way too many to list here.

 

[Guest]

Hi Dave

Quote
And you're hoping that the user doesn't overwrite that template when
they save the file.
Question
So there is no real purpose for the template...other than it is a
pre-developed spreadsheet? I misunderstood this.
Your read only suggestion...I have used this before...indirectly...but never
though of using it as a more reliaable way of preventing overwriting as I
though the template did this....oh....but I suppose this was why readonly was
created.

Thanks for all those links...I'll have a look.

Your comment regarding the use of Addins....up to now anytime I have used
code in Excel it's been as you say for a specific purpose...unique to the
task....(I never thought about it before...although have read a little about
addins)....in the future it might be worth me having a quick check to see if
some addin does exist for the task in hand...even if the out come is only for
an idea how to approach a solution to the task in hand if it's not totally
applicable.

 

[Dave Peterson]

I don't see much difference between a .xls file that's marked readonly and a
..xlt template file. But that's just my view. Other's may see differences.

And if you really want a reliable way to stop users from overwriting your file,
I think you'll have to put the file (.xls or .xlt) in a folder that the users
don't have write access.

Anything else pretty much just makes it a bit more difficult for the users to
screw up.

If you mark a .xls file readonly, you know how easy it is to change this
setting. If you save the file as readonly (file|saveAs|tools|general options),
then the user can save to a new name and just use windows explorer to delete the
original and put their copy in its place.

If you save the file as a template, then the user could just file|saveas right
over your template file.

That's why I suggested that no matter what you do, keep a backup available -- it
may never be used, but you'll want it in case you need it.

Hi Dave

Quote
And you're hoping that the user doesn't overwrite that template when
they save the file.
Question
So there is no real purpose for the template...other than it is a
pre-developed spreadsheet? I misunderstood this.
Your read only suggestion...I have used this before...indirectly...but never
though of using it as a more reliaable way of preventing overwriting as I
though the template did this....oh....but I suppose this was why readonly was
created.

Thanks for all those links...I'll have a look.

Your comment regarding the use of Addins....up to now anytime I have used
code in Excel it's been as you say for a specific purpose...unique to the
task....(I never thought about it before...although have read a little about
addins)....in the future it might be worth me having a quick check to see if
some addin does exist for the task in hand...even if the out come is only for
an idea how to approach a solution to the task in hand if it's not totally
applicable.

 

[Ragdyer]

See if this helps at all.

http://tinyurl.com/g8usp

The "bug" in this old post was referring to an alternate procedure for
networking templates that didn't work in XL02 only. The MS Office procedure
described here, where you go through Word, woks in all versions (don't
really know about XL07).
--
HTH,

RD

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Hi Dave

Quote
And you're hoping that the user doesn't overwrite that template when
they save the file.
Question
So there is no real purpose for the template...other than it is a
pre-developed spreadsheet? I misunderstood this.
Your read only suggestion...I have used this before...indirectly...but never
though of using it as a more reliaable way of preventing overwriting as I
though the template did this....oh....but I suppose this was why readonly was
created.

Thanks for all those links...I'll have a look.

Your comment regarding the use of Addins....up to now anytime I have used
code in Excel it's been as you say for a specific purpose...unique to the
task....(I never thought about it before...although have read a little about
addins)....in the future it might be worth me having a quick check to see if
some addin does exist for the task in hand...even if the out come is only for
an idea how to approach a solution to the task in hand if it's not totally
applicable.

 

[Guest]

Hi Dave
Thanks for all the suggestions
Have a great day
Dermoy

Hi Dave

Quote
And you're hoping that the user doesn't overwrite that template when
they save the file.
Question
So there is no real purpose for the template...other than it is a
pre-developed spreadsheet? I misunderstood this.
Your read only suggestion...I have used this before...indirectly...but never
though of using it as a more reliaable way of preventing overwriting as I
though the template did this....oh....but I suppose this was why readonly was
created.

Thanks for all those links...I'll have a look.

Your comment regarding the use of Addins....up to now anytime I have used
code in Excel it's been as you say for a specific purpose...unique to the
task....(I never thought about it before...although have read a little about
addins)....in the future it might be worth me having a quick check to see if
some addin does exist for the task in hand...even if the out come is only for
an idea how to approach a solution to the task in hand if it's not totally
applicable.

 

[Guest]

Hi Dave
Thank for the all the suggestions
Have a great Day

Dermot

Hi Dave

Quote
And you're hoping that the user doesn't overwrite that template when
they save the file.
Question
So there is no real purpose for the template...other than it is a
pre-developed spreadsheet? I misunderstood this.
Your read only suggestion...I have used this before...indirectly...but never
though of using it as a more reliaable way of preventing overwriting as I
though the template did this....oh....but I suppose this was why readonly was
created.

Thanks for all those links...I'll have a look.

Your comment regarding the use of Addins....up to now anytime I have used
code in Excel it's been as you say for a specific purpose...unique to the
task....(I never thought about it before...although have read a little about
addins)....in the future it might be worth me having a quick check to see if
some addin does exist for the task in hand...even if the out come is only for
an idea how to approach a solution to the task in hand if it's not totally
applicable.