Attaching a Template

In Word, a template is used to primarily specify default styles and text. When you first open a blank document, Word automatically attaches the Normal.dotm template to your document, although you can specify a different template. After the file has been created, you can change the attached template by following these steps:

1. Display the Developer tab of the Ribbon and then click on the Document Template option. Word displays the Templates and Add-Ins dialog box. (Click here to see a related figure.)
2. Click on the Attach button. Word displays the Attach Template dialog box.
3. Use the controls in the dialog box to locate and select the template you want attached to your document.
4. Click on Open. The Attach Template dialog box disappears, and the name of the template you selected appears in the Document Template box.
5. Select the Automatically Update Document Styles check box to make sure that the styles in the template are applied to your document.
6. Click on OK.

If you don't see the Developer tab necessary for step 1, then you need to make the tab visible. You do that by clicking the Office button and then clicking the Word Options button. In the resulting Word Options dialog box, the Popular option should be selected at the left. Make sure the Show Developer Tab in Ribbon check box is selected and click OK.