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Creating new document in Word

Anonymous
2024-08-22T14:42:08+00:00

I'm trying to create a new document. Whenever I create them, it's not blank. It has some contents I've pasted (a few days ago) already in it so it is not blank anymore. I am able to delete them but this is so annoying.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For education | MacOS

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  1. Jim G 134K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2024-08-22T17:26:49+00:00

    Hi

    The link Hans provided goes into great detail. Let me summarize and simplify.

    Whenever you open Word or open a new, blank document in Microsoft Word, a template named Norrmal.dotm is used as the basis for that document.

    All you need to do is set up a document the way you want all new documents to be. Delete all the unwanted content. If you want to use a different font in all new documents, now would be a good time to select all and change the font. Maybe you want to pre-set headers and footers. Or maybe just have nothing.

    Once you set up your file, use the Menu Bar and choose File > Save As Template. Name your file Normal.dotm and click Save. When prompted, replace the existing Normal.dotm file. Quit Word and test by re-opening Word. It will open using the template you just saved, as will all new, blank documents.

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  1. HansV 462.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2024-08-22T15:21:55+00:00

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  2. Jim G 134K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2024-08-23T17:32:26+00:00

    Hi again,

    There is a way to have Microsoft Word automatically generate a brand new pristine Normal.dotm template. It's easy to explain:

    Quit Word and then move your current Normal.dotm template to the trash and then empty the Mac OS Trash. When you re-open Microsoft Word, a new, pristine blank Normal.dotm template will be generated automatically.

    The trick is finding where your Normal.dotm file is hidden and navigating to it in Finder. There are several ways to get to it. Here's one way.

    If you did not reassign the location in Word Preferences, to get to the default location, In Finder, hold the Option key down and then click the GO menu and keep holding the Option key down and choose Library. Then, navigate to the Templates folder, which is where you will find Normal.dotm. Here's the file path:

    Image

    Be sure Word is not running (Command-Q in Word). Right-click on Normal.dotm and choose Move to Trash. Then empty the Mac OS trash. Word will build a new Normal.dotm file the next time you open Microsoft Word.

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  3. Bob Jones AKA CyberTaz MVP 435K Reputation points
    2024-08-22T17:26:31+00:00

    The article Hans referred to is excellent & well worth reading but there are 2 considerations:

    • It's based on Word for Windows, &
    • It's overkill for your requirement

    There's a more straightforward process on a Mac but specifics vary somewhat based on the Version Numbers of both Office & macOS. Provide that information in order to determine the correct path for your configuration.

    • Word> About Microsoft Word
    • > About This Mac
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