styles arent working-changing to comment reference

[Guest]

I'm using word 2003 and have the following problem. I have a template that I
use for formatting our labs. This template has styles specified for
commands, machine names, steps, etc. I read the help about using the
template ad in feature to move styles into an open doc, but didn't quite
understand it, so when I receive a draft, I ctrl+a, ctrl+c, then I open a new
document based on my template and ctrl+v. I've noticed that when I try to
highlight text and apply a style to it, it won't take on those attributes,
but the track changes says its a comment reference? I've tried clearing the
formatting, then reapplying a style at no success. Also, if I just select
the last word of the phrase I'm changing, and then click on a style, it will
work, then I do the rest of the phrase, it works, but the paragraph
formatting is ignored. I'm sure me copying the doc into a new template isnt
the best way to apply styles, is this why I'm having these issues? If so,
does someone have a better explaination of using the template ad in than
whats in the help? Thanks

 

[Guest]

Now, it's not only formatting text into comment reference, but it is also
giving things the wrong style. I'll highlight a block of text to apply
"console window" style, and it applies the "step title" style instead.