Do you find yourself changing the margins or the font style, size, or color every time you start a new document? This can be a nuisance and a waste of time. If your default template isn’t exactly what you want, you should consider customizing it. Because I write more informal type documents, I’ve modified my template to have narrow margins. That way, I get maximum printing real estate per page. I also changed my text to a font that is easier to read.

This is so easy to do, and once it’s done, you never have to think about it again. Here are the two easy steps:

Find Your Default Template

I use Microsoft Word, and the default template is named Normal.dot. If you have a word processor other than Word, your template may have a different name. In fact, this process may not work for you exactly as I describe it, but it will probably be close enough that you can figure it out.

1. Close your word processor, click Start > Search > All Files and Folders
2. Type *.dot into the box labeled “All or Part of the File Name”
3. Click “More Advanced Options,” and check “Search System Folders,” “Search Hidden Files and Folders,” and “Search Subfolders”
4. Click “Search”

The search may take a couple of minutes. When it’s finished, you will see a listing of all the document templates stored on your computer.

Customize Your Template

If you were to double click the file named “Normal,” you would open a new document that uses the template. We don’t want to do that. We want to open the actual template. In order to do this, you must right mouse click and select “Open.” This will launch your word processor and open the template. Check the top left corner of your screen to make sure it says “Normal,” instead of “Document 1.” If it says “Normal,” you’ve successfully opened the template.

Now you’re ready to change your margins and your font style, size, and color. When you’re finished customizing, delete any text you might have added so that you are left with a blank sheet of paper. Click “Save” and you’re done! See? That wasn’t so bad.

Check Your Work

Open your word processor and start a new document. You should see that the new document uses the smaller margins and is ready to go with your new text choices.

Keeping it real,

Tags: geek speak, Productivity, word processor

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