October 2002

Using Templates in Microsoft Word

By Teresa Lightle- Computer Training Coordinator

You need a fax cover sheet just to send a simple report, or your administrator needs a memo typed and formatted 5 minutes ago. Microsoft Office Templates can help. Every time you open a new MS Word document you are opening a template. The basic blank document in Word is referred to as the Normal Template. This template carries all the default (pre set guidelines) for every new document. Setting includes which font style and size to use as well as how wide the margins are set. MS Word contains additional templates as well. The way to access opening these templates is through File in the menu bar, and selecting the New... option.  (This option works in Office 97 and 2000). In Office XP use the Task Pane and select  General Templates. 

    

There are several category options available by using the tabs.

Notice there are two types of icons showing in the dialogue box.

This icon represents a template. The extension of a template is noted by .dot. The bar at the top of the Word icon is in yellow

This icon represents a Wizard. A wand-like graphic is placed over the document icon. Wizards guide the user through a step-by- step process to complete the document.

Choose the template you wish to create. You can double click on the icon or click to select and choose  OK.

Once you open the document on your screen, it becomes yours. It is a fresh document that you can modify and edit to your specifications. An example of an Elegant Fax Template is shown below:

Once you have modified the items, you can save it, print it or delete it. If you cannot find a template for a specific document you need, try using the online templates from the online Microsoft Template Gallery  http://officeupdate.microsoft.com/templategallery/   This is a resource of hundreds of templates for you to use.

Next Month: Creating Customized Templates in MS Word.

The E-Teacher

Along the same lines as the information above, Microsoft Education has designed many templates just for teachers and administrators.

http://search.officeupdate.microsoft.com/TemplateGallery/ct145.asp
Lots of teacher, student and parent templates

http://www.microsoft.com/education/default.asp?ID=GetReadyTesting
Microsoft tips on getting students ready for testing

http://www.mrsperkins.com/testing.htm
Forms from a first grade teachers

http://home.att.net/~teaching/filecab.htm
Activities Resources

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For Questions or Comments about this newsletter please contact: tlightle@bcoe.org

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