You have some pretty good suggestions here. I don't know how deeply you
want to go into what sounds like programming--a root canal would be my
personal preference. Hurts, but you feel a lot better when it's over. Or
maybe a firing squad. It's all over fast! I can give you a really simple
way to turn your word (letter, memo, whatever) document into a template.
Good for one letter or document at a time. It's this simple (at least in
Word 2000/2002): save it as . . . a template! Yes, that's all. If
something this simple is not for you, then stop reading right here. If you
are talking more serious or advanced stuff, this is not for you!
With me? First, check to see that you have a place to put your template(s).
To do this check your file locations (Tools, Options, File Locations, User
Templates). There is probably a default location set up already (e.g.,
<Windows Folder>\Application Data\Microsoft\Templates, depending on your
operating system). It's also your chance to change the location, but you
can do that anytime. If no location is set, well create a folder and tell
Word the location. It doesn't really matter where you create your template
folder. You can even create it somewhere else on your network, at least on
a Microsoft network. With one exception: Word stores its built-in templates
in its own special folder, depending on your OS. You can find it by
searching for all *.dot files. Don't put your templates in there! Word will
only recognize its own work in that folder!
Ready for some serious programming? To make a template from an existing
(open) document you start the Save As process just like you would for a
Word document. However, in the Save window go down to Save as Type. Scroll
down to Document Template (*.dot) and give your template a name, and click
Save. That's it. You have a template! You are now--empowered! Brutal,
ain't it?
When you want to use your new template, click File, New and there it will
be. It should be in a tab called General, unless you ran ahead and created
a sub-folder or two. If you want a tab with your own special name, use
Windows Explorer and create a sub-folder in the directory where you told
Word to store your User Templates. Any other sub-folders you create here
will also show up as tabs in the array of templates offered to you. Had
enough yet?
No need to obsess over this stuff--you can always open your template later
and modify it pretty much as you would any Word document. Except that since
its name is *.dot you can only see it in the Open File window if Files of
Type is set to Templates or All Files. Set it to *.doc and your templates
will be hidden from view.
Hey, like I said, it ain't rocket science. And it sure ain't elegant. If
you know how to make a Word document without hurting yourself, you already
have what it takes to make a template! All you need is a shove in the right
direction. Not a UserForm, not buttons and the like, mind you. But quite
practical. I have never quite recovered from trying to learn VBA in order
to make a stupid macro. Those programming books I bought make great door
stops. And the funny thing is, my nerd friends assume anybody who has books
like that must really know something.
If you need some serious punishment, try a few Microsoft Knowledge Base
Articles. Seriously, the first few may give you a nice overview, but maybe
in a lot more detail that you want:
General Questions and Answers About the Location of Word 2000 Templates
(210884)
Add a New Tab for Custom Templates in Microsoft Word 2000 (256152)
Frequently asked questions about the location of Word 2002 templates
(291186)
Where Word Looks for Templates (138059)
Managing templates in Word 2003 (889495)
Add a New Tab for Custom Templates in Word 2002 (291468)
Categories, Locations, and Registry Keys for Word Templates (216595)
