Article ID: 290961 - Last Review: January 31, 2007 - Revision: 1.3

How to start Word with a template other than the Normal template in Word

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This article was previously published under Q290961
For a Microsoft Word 2000 version of this article, see 211620  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/211620/ ) .
For a Microsoft Word 97 version of this article, see 97687  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/97687/ ) .
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SUMMARY

By default, when you start Microsoft Word, Word opens a new document that is based on the Normal template (Normal.dot). You can specify an alternative template by using a command-line switch.

MORE INFORMATION

To specify an alternative template by using a command-line switch, follow these steps:
  1. Create a shortcut for Word.
  2. Right-click the shortcut, and then click Properties.
  3. Click the Shortcut tab, and then change the Target line to the following line:
    C:\Word Folder\winword.exe /ttemplate name
    In this line, Word Folder is the path to the Winword.exe program, and template name is the full path to the template.

    If the path or the template file name uses a long file name, enclose the path and template name in quotation marks. Make sure there is no space between the /t switch and template name.
APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Office Word 2007
  • Microsoft Office Word 2003
  • Microsoft Word 2002 Standard Edition
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Keywords: 
kbtemplate kbopenfile kbstartprogram kbhowto KB290961