How do I... Change the normal template in Word 2007 to my preferences?

Watch CBS News

For some reason, Microsoft chose to ship Word with a default normal template that used the Calibri font. I prefer to use either Arial or Times New Roman. In Word 2003, you'd have to create a document with your preferences and then save it as the normal.dot file. In Word 2007, the process is slightly different.

© CNET Networks, Inc.
Mark W. Kaelin

This gallery is also available as a TechRepublic article.

How do I... Change the normal template in Word 2007 to my preferences?

Here is how the default page looks when you first start Word 2007.

© CNET Networks, Inc.
Mark W. Kaelin

How do I... Change the normal template in Word 2007 to my preferences?

The first step is to change the default from the pint-sized Calibri font, point size 11 to the normal-sized Arial (or your favorite font), point sized 10. Just use the dropdown menu to choose your font and point size.

© CNET Networks, Inc.
Mark W. Kaelin

How do I... Change the normal template in Word 2007 to my preferences?

On the Page Layout tab note that the default the Margins are set at one inch from all four directions. I prefer my normal template to be set to half inch margins. Also note the Spacing section default is 0 before and 10 after -- I prefer 5 before and 5 after.

© CNET Networks, Inc.
Mark W. Kaelin

How do I... Change the normal template in Word 2007 to my preferences?

Clicking the drop arrow under Margins in the new Ribbon interface reveals several choices for the margin settings. I prefer the Narrow setting.

© CNET Networks, Inc.
Mark W. Kaelin

How do I... Change the normal template in Word 2007 to my preferences?

Okay, now this is what I want to see when I start a new document in Word 2007: Arial font, 10 point, half-inch margins, 5 above, 5 below paragraph separation. But how do I save it so each document starts this way.

© CNET Networks, Inc.
Mark W. Kaelin

How do I... Change the normal template in Word 2007 to my preferences?

The first thing to do is to navigate to the Home tab and click on the expansion icon under Styles as show in. Click the Options link at the bottom of the list to reveal the Style Pane Options dialog screen.

© CNET Networks, Inc.
Mark W. Kaelin

How do I... Change the normal template in Word 2007 to my preferences?

Click the New documents based on this template radio button.

© CNET Networks, Inc.
Mark W. Kaelin

How do I... Change the normal template in Word 2007 to my preferences?

The next step is to right click the big normal style button and click the Modify menu item to get to the Modify Style dialog.

© CNET Networks, Inc.
Mark W. Kaelin

How do I... Change the normal template in Word 2007 to my preferences?

Click the radio button next to New documents based on this template.

© CNET Networks, Inc.
Mark W. Kaelin

How do I... Change the normal template in Word 2007 to my preferences?

We are almost there. Next click the expansion icon on the bottom of the Paragraph section of the Word Ribbon interface to get to the Paragraph dialog screen.

Click the Default button and click Yes to apply the settings to the normal template.

© CNET Networks, Inc.
Mark W. Kaelin

How do I... Change the normal template in Word 2007 to my preferences?

Okay, the last step. Switch to the Page Layout and click the expansion icon under the Page Setup portion of the Ribbon and then click the Default button. Answer Yes to apply the settings to the normal template.

© CNET Networks, Inc.
Mark W. Kaelin

How do I... Change the normal template in Word 2007 to my preferences?

And that's it. Now, the normal template in Word 2007 is set to your preferences.

© CNET Networks, Inc.
Mark W. Kaelin

How do I... Change the normal template in Word 2007 to my preferences?

One additional tip I would like to pass on. When I had completed my normal template transition, I wanted to test it and went looking for the New document button. But it was no where to be found. I don't know about you, but I use that button all the time. It turns out it is located on the Quick Access Toolbar, but it is not on by default. Click the dropdown button on that toolbar to get a list of potential buttons. Just click the buttons you want on the top Quick Access Toolbar.

© CNET Networks, Inc.
Mark W. Kaelin

How do I... Change the normal template in Word 2007 to my preferences?

This screenshot shows the difference between Calibri and Arial. Calibri seems to be about a quarter shorter (3/4 size) when compared to Arial. I'm not sure why Calibri is the default.

© CNET Networks, Inc.
Mark W. Kaelin