How to Customize the Normal Template in Microsoft Office/Microsoft 365

Set text, paragraph, and other formatting for every new document

By
Cindy Grigg
Cindy Grigg
Writer
Cindy Grigg is a former freelance contributor to Lifewire and a productivity writer who teaches Microsoft Office software to students and pros.
lifewire's editorial guidelines
Updated on February 7, 2021

What to Know

  • Templates are typically located at C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates.
  • In Word, go to File > Open > Browse > locate Templates > select Normal.dot or Normal.dotm > make desired changes > Save.
  • Make sure you close and re-open Word to see new changes.

This article explains how to customize the normal template in Microsoft Office. Instructions apply to all versions of Microsoft Word for the Windows desktop.

How to Customize the Normal Template in Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365

  1. Select File > Open. Use the Browse button to launch a file-explorer window, then open C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates.

    Some computer hide certain folders, including AppData, by default. If you haven't configured Windows Explorer to show all files, type the path name in the bar at the top of the Open window.

  2. Choose the Normal.dot or Normal.dotm option.

    open word template

  3. Make your formatting changes in the interface, the same way you would in any Word document. Only apply those settings intended as defaults for every future Word document. Set text preferences, spacing defaults, page backgrounds, headers and footers, table styles, and related elements.

  4. When you are done, save the document.

  5. Close Word, then re-open it. Select New. As you begin this new document, are your preferences reflected? If not, you may need to try again or reach out to Microsoft Support for additional troubleshooting or advice.

Adjust Normal Style

Alternatively, you can make a lot of simple tweaks standard without bothering with the Normal Template. Right-click the Normal Style on the File menu of the Ribbon to make your Font, Paragraph, and other changes in the Modify Style screen. This modification changes the style for just that document unless you click Apply to All Documents at the bottom of the dialogue box. This approach limits your tool options, but it can be great if all you are concerned about are font and spacing customizations.

Was this page helpful?