Different Templates for different parts of a Document?

[Patti Barden]

Hi,
I made a template couple of years ago for a document I keep adding to. Over
time I have added and changed the document. When I save these changes is
that original template changed also if I click Add to Template?

Also, if I want to "insert" an additional document into the original
document I think the new inserted document's formatting changes to that of
the original?

Also, is it better to "copy and paste" a new document into the original or
use the "insert" or would it be best to change and save the new document
using the original template?

I have had this document corrupted in the past and it is a pain to
straighten it out so I am nervous. Templates continue to confuse me. Using
W97, W98.
Thank you.
Patti

 

[Mark Tangard]

Hi Patti,

No, checking "Add To Template" only updates a *style*, not content.
But if you've been using this for a couple of years, you must have
noticed that, no? If not, it's possible you aren't really using
a template, but are instead updating a *document* that you reuse.
While that is the dictionary sense of the word "template," it's
not what Microsoft means by the term and it's not a very efficient
way to do what a template does. (This could also partly explain
the corruption.)

When you need to change a template's content, you generally want
to open it directly (that is, with File->Open; *not* File->New
and *not* by double-clicking it from Windows Explorer). But first
we need to know if these are actual templates. What is the file's
extension? Documents end in ".DOC" and templates end in ".DOT."
Post back with more info and we'll be able to help you. Also read
these two items carefully:

http://www.mvps.org/word/FAQs/Customization/CreateATemplatePart1.htm
http://www.mvps.org/word/FAQs/Customization/CreateATemplatePart2.htm

 

[Patti Barden]

Hi Mark,
Yes, I have noticed the content of "Add to Template" does not change, just
confused about what the "Add to Template" dos.

I started with a template dot. called Connections.dot. Worked on it over
months saving it as Connections.doc. Because it has become so long (200
pages), I have gone back to the template folder and opened a new
Connections.dot blank and written a chapter, saving it as a new titled i.e.
Chapter 6 doc. Then I would insert that chapter 6 when it was proofed, etc.
into Connections.doc.

As this has taken a few years I have lots of documents from that original
Connections.dot template. Many of them have added formatting (not different
styles) that was not on the original template.

I guess what I have always been uncertain of is should I have been saving
the edited Connections.doc as Connections.dot or Connections-1,2,etc.dot
each time so that when I wanted a new Connections.dot blank for a new
chapter I was staying consistent?
Thanks if you can understand what I am trying to say. I did read the MVP's
you cited but I don't see my question addressed.
Patti

 

[Mark Tangard]

Patti,

The only reason you'd want a 200-page template is if you are
routinely creating documents of 200 pages or more whose content
(at least 200 pages of it) is largely the same. Is that the
case? If not, please tell us why you're storing 700 pages of
text in a single file. It isn't clear from your post what the
goal could be, but if we understood that, it would be easier
to answer your question. If you were just looking to keep the
*format* of each chapter consistent (assuming you're storintg
the chapters is separate files), then the template should be
empty or nearly so, except for headers, footers, margins, and
styles.

How are you using the template? If you're not either clicking
File->New and double-clicking it there, or double-clicking it
from Explorer, give us the steps you're using (all of them,
i.e., each click in order). I think this will shed light on
what's going on

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

When you check "Add to template," the style changes are written to the
template and will apply to any documents subsequently based on it. The
changes do *not* affect any existing documents based on the template
*unless* you reattach the template with "Automatically update document
styles" checked. Ordinarily a template will not become "long" because it
will be blank (aside from such boilerplate items as header/footer, possibly
a TOC or index). If it has content, it should be a document (unless it is a
form template).

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
Word MVP FAQ site: http://www.mvps.org/word
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