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How do I change the default number of columns in a document back to 1?

Anonymous
2023-03-30T19:48:16+00:00

I somehow changed the settings in my Word (the newest iteration) and now whenever I start a new document it automatically has two columns. I am wondering how to change the default back to a single column, as it is becoming quite annoying having to manually change it back to one column each time. I have already tried the "set as default" thing many times but it won't change the columns.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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Jay Freedman 207.6K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2023-03-30T20:02:29+00:00

You have somehow formatted your Normal.dotm template as two columns. That isn't easy to do!

To fix it, close Word. In Windows File Explorer, click the View tab and check the box for "Hidden items". Then find the Normal.dotm file (it should be in the folder C:\Users<your login name>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates), and rename the file to OldNormal.dotm. When you restart Word, the program will automatically create a new Normal.dotm template, and you should be back to one column.

If the old Normal.dotm template had important customizations such as custom styles, you can transfer most of them to the new template by using the Organizer (http://www.addbalance.com/usersguide/styles.htm#Organizer ).

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  1. Suzanne S Barnhill 277.5K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2023-03-30T22:48:28+00:00

    If your Normal template has significant customizations, it will be better to edit it rather than replace it. Here's the easiest way:

    1. In Word, press Alt+F11; the Visual Basic Editor opens.
    2. Press Ctrl+G to activate the Immediate window.
    3. In that window, type (or paste)

         NormalTemplate.OpenAsDocument

    and press Enter.

    Normal opens, but note that it may not be on top of all windows. You can close the Visual Basic Editor. Make the desired changes to the Normal file (in this case, change the number of columns), and then save and close it. If the changes you have made have not been recognized as changes (the Undo button is not activated), press Spacebar, then Backspace to “dirty” the file, thus ensuring that the template will actually be saved.

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