What is a template?
A template is a document with a preset layout or preset styles for formatting. They serve as a basic structure for a document and can be used to eliminate the need for repetitive recreation of the same format across documents. Templates feature prearranged formatting options such as font face, font size, language, spacing, alignment, and more.
Types of Templates
There are two kinds of templates: built-in and custom.
Built-in templates provide preset structures for common documents such as:
- Faxes
- Letters
- Memos
- Reports
- Resumes
- Web pages
- Documents without custom formatting
Custom templates, on the other hand, are formatting options and layouts that are set up by the user and saved as a .dotx file. You can modify an existing template or you may set one up starting from a blank document.
How to Apply Templates
Templates in MS Word 2003
The instructions for applying and modifying templates in MS Word 2003 may be found HERE.
Templates in MS Word 2007
- Click the Office Button
and choose New. - When the dialog box appears, select Installed Templates (located under the Templates heading).
- Choose the template you want, then click Create to apply the template to your new document.
For custom and/or downloaded templates, look under My templates...
Templates in MS Word 2010
- Under the File Tab select New.
- In the Available Templates section, double click the icon that says My Templates.
- Select the template you downloaded, then click OK in the New Dialog box.
You may need to look in the My Documents or Documents folder on your computer in order to find the template file.
- Once you've done this, double click the template to apply it to the new document.