Update styles from the template.

Question

I am using Microsoft Word in my 365 Office Suite. I have created a template named Genealogy References, complete with custom styles, and saved it. I have also changed the default path of my custom templates (to my One Drive (this lets me use it from multiple computers). When I use this template, it does appear in New -> Personal.

The Genealogy References Template is used for each family in my genealogy families (as many as 200 different files). As each family may have different data, I may have to add additional formatting styles. I am aware that when I create a new style on a *.doc file, I check “documents based on this template”. And in doing to I am prompted when saving, “Do you want to make changes to the document template?”-

I created (3) family test files (Genealogy References-01.doc, Genealogy References-02.doc, Genealogy References-03.doc). I added (1) new style to each file. When I opened ..02.doc, it had the new style from …01.doc. And …03 had the new styles added in the previous (2) files. I checked the Genealogy References template and all new styles were in place.

Here is the issue I am trying to resolve or find a work-around. If I open Genealogy References-01.doc, it does not have the styles saved in ..02.doc and ..03.doc. Is there a program function to update styles from the template to the current document? I am a strong use of styles, so this function helps my workflow and creativity. Any solution, or options?

Answer 1

Yes.

On the Developer Tab, click the button for the Document Template. Then check the box to update styles.

Close the dialog.

If the styles have not updated, close and reopen the document.

• Update Styles Options

It is best practice to leave this box unchecked except for particular instances.

• What happens when I send my document to someone else? Will Word mess up my formatting?
• What is the relationship between a Microsoft Word document and its template?

I do not know what placing the template on OneDrive will do. Templates on OneDrive or SharePoint can be problems for other things. If your default template storage is on your local hard drive and synced to OneDrive, those problems do not arise, AFAIK.