Formatting in word - setting defaults

Question

I create word docs all day and all of them have the same formatting (calibri, 12, black, justified, 1.5 line spaces) and each time I create a new doc or amend an old one I have to reformat to these specifications.

Is there a way to set these formatting specifications so each time I open or create a new doc these are preset?

Thanks :)

Answer 1

In Word for Windows, you can easily change the default font in the Font dialog box. Press Ctrl+D, choose the settings you want and then click the Set As Default button. When prompted, choose to save the settings in the template (which is the Normal template unless you specifically created the document based on some other template). In the screen shot below, note that I have selected the "This document only" option.

For the Line Spacing, I recommend that you make the modifications through the Modify Style dialog box for the style you are using. If you haven't explicitly selected some other style, the pre-selected style is usually Normal.

Press Ctrl+Shift+S to display the Apply Styles pane. Click Modify. In the dialog box, access Format > Paragraph, from where you get access to the Spacing options as well as the alignment options in the Paragraph dialog box. See screen shot.

In the Modify Style dialog box, you can copy the modified style definition to the attached template by selecting the radio button "New documents based on this template."

Answer 2

To add to what Clark and Stefan have said, you might want to look at http://wordfaqs.ssbarnhill.com/CustomizeNormalTemplate.htm, which provides instructions for customizing all aspects of the Normal template, which will ensure that the formatting you want appears in every new document.

Answer 3

Hi AmandaPesce,

I go through the post carefully, you may try edit the format for normal.dotm of Word which is default template that all new documents based. For more information: Change the Normal template (Normal.dotm ) (microsoft.com)

Additionally, you may create style with format you want, and save the style for all documents (save to normal.dotm by select “New documents based on this template” when you create it), then you may apply the style to any paragraphs in other documents quickly. For more info: Customize or create new styles (microsoft.com)

Best Regards,

Clark

Answer 4

Thank you so Stefan, I really appreciate.

Answer 5

You are welcome.