Can't Change Normal.dotm - Read Only

[Guest]

Just upgraded to Word 2007. I'm trying to personalize my Normal.dotm for
default font, Normal Style, Margins, and View (Page Layout). However, my
Normal.dotm will only open as Read-Only. I've tried opening it directly with
Word closed and tried opening it with Word open.

Is there a new way to save these defaults instead of writing over the Normal
template like in previous versions?

Thank you.

 

[Graham Mayor]

By default normal.dotm is not read only. Investigate the permissions
associated with the file and checkout
http://www.gmayor.com/what_to_do_when_word_crashes.htm

--
<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>
Graham Mayor - Word MVP

My web site www.gmayor.com

<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>

 

[Guest]

Thank you.

1) Checked permissions..No Restrictions
2) Looked for any temporary files...None
3) Prompt to Save Normal = Yes...However, I don't want Normal changed by
accident so I'd like to leave as is.

Could this be caused by my templates being stored on a network instead of my
hard drive?

 

[Guest]

Clarification of error. As I'm fiddling around with this thing, I noticed I
may not have described the problem correctly. When OPENING normal.dotm I
receive the error..

Normal.dotm is locked for editing by me. Do you want to open as.
**Read Only
**Save as new file and merge later
**Be notified when file is available

 

[Graham Mayor]

That suggests to me that you do have a temporary file ~$Normal.dotm in the
Word Templates folder when Word is closed.
Note that these are normally hidden files. You must set Explorer to display
hidden files to view them. See
http://www.gmayor.com/what_to_do_when_word_crashes.htm again.

--
<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>
Graham Mayor - Word MVP

My web site www.gmayor.com

<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>

 

[Guest]

No, I saw those files and deleted them completely including dumping my trash
folder. I did rename the old Normal file and just tried making default
changes from a blank document then closing Word. It did ask me if I wanted
to Save the Changes to Normal and the changes held.

In the past I always opened Normal made my changes and then resaved the
file. I'm guessing that isn't the best way with Word 07. Thanks for all the
suggestions.

 

[Graham Mayor]

You should still be able to open normal.dotm and make changes to it. What
you cannot do and should not attempt to do (as only Word can create a normal
template) is to save a document as normal.dotm.

--
<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>
Graham Mayor - Word MVP

My web site www.gmayor.com

<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>