location of Blank document template in word

Note that AppData and other folders in your Windows user profile path may be hidden, so if you are browsing for the location, make sure that you display hidden files and folders in File Explorer.

By default, a shortcut to the user templates folder is %appdata%\Microsoft\Templates (as Liora D stated). You can access this through the Run dialog box (hold the Windows logo key as you press R, paste in the path and press Enter).

It is possible to customize the user templates location, though. To find the correct location on your system, look in the File Locations dialog box (File > Options > Advanced > File Locations).

Dear Vinson, Donnie,

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A. 

Thank you for your question. The Blank Document template that Word uses by default is stored in a special file called Normal.dotm. This file contains all the default settings for new documents, such as fonts, margins, styles, and macros.

File Location

On Windows 11, you can find the Normal.dotm file here:

C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates\

To quickly access it:

Press Windows + R, type: %appdata%\Microsoft\Templates

Press Enter.

Role of Normal.dotm

It is the global template for Word.

Every time you create a new blank document, Word uses Normal.dotm as the base.

If you change default font, margins, or styles and click Set as Default, Word updates Normal.dotm.

• If Normal.dotm becomes corrupted, Word may crash or behave unexpectedly.

How to Customize Normal.dotm:

1. On the File tab, click Open.
2. Go to C:\Users_user name_\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates.
3. Open the Normal template (Normal.dotm).
4. Make any changes that you want to the fonts, margins, spacing, and other settings. You can use the same commands and features that you use to change a document but remember that any changes that you make to Normal.dotm will be applied to documents that you create in the future.
5. When you have finished, click the File tab, and then click Save.

How to Reset Normal.dotm

If Word behaves oddly or you want to restore defaults:

Close Word.

Navigate to: %appdata%\Microsoft\Templates

Rename Normal.dotm to Normal.old.

Restart Word. It will create a fresh Normal.dotm with default settings.

I hope this information helps point you in the right direction. If you run into any issues while trying the steps, or if something still doesn’t feel quite right, please don’t hesitate to reach out again. I’ll do my best to support you however I can.  

Looking forward to hearing back from you with any updates or additional details. 

Warm regards, 

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The file is Normal.dotm. https://www.addbalance.com/usersguide/templates.htm#Normal

It is possible you put it somewhere else, but that would have to be deliberate.

• Find the Normal Template https://addbalance.com/word/normaltemplate.htm#Find
• Open the Normal Template https://addbalance.com/word/normaltemplate.htm#Open

Stefan is correct, though. You almost certainly do not want to edit it directly.

See:

• Change Default settings: http://wordfaqs.ssbarnhill.com/CustomizeNormalTemplate.htm
• Backing up the Normal Template https://addbalance.com/word/normal-backup.htm