How to set the default template location in Word
How to set the default template location in Word
Go to File, then Options, then Save, and set the Default personal templates location to the folder holding your .dotx files. Word then lists those templates under File, New, on the Personal tab. For teams, set a workgroup templates location under Advanced, File Locations, so everyone sees the same central set of approved templates rather than hunting for files.
This is the difference between staff starting documents from the right template every time and digging through email or a shared drive for last year's version.
Why does the template location matter?
If templates are not in a location Word knows about, they do not appear in the New screen, so staff resort to opening an old document and editing over it. That is how content from one project ends up as the starting point for the next, and how brand consistency quietly erodes. Pointing Word at a proper template folder gives people a clean, obvious starting point.
A visible Personal or workgroup tab under New trains staff to start the right way without any instruction.
How do you set it for one person?
Under File, Options, Save, enter the path to the template folder in the Default personal templates location box. Save a .dotx there, and it shows up under File, New, Personal. This works well for an individual, but each machine has to be set up separately, which does not scale across an organisation.
For a single user that is enough. For a team it is only half the answer.
How do you do it for a whole team?
Use a workgroup templates location, set under File, Options, Advanced, File Locations. Point it at a shared network folder or synced location holding the approved templates. Everyone configured this way sees the same templates, and updating the central folder updates what everyone starts from. In managed environments this is usually rolled out by IT through policy.
At Ideaseed we advise clients on deployment alongside the template build, because a beautifully built .dotx delivers nothing if staff cannot find it. Getting the templates into a location Word surfaces automatically is what turns a file into something the whole organisation actually uses.
Set Word's default personal templates location to surface your templates under New, and use a workgroup location to point a whole team at one central folder. Putting templates where Word can find them is what gets them used.
For template builds with deployment guidance included, see our Microsoft template service or request a free health check at ideaseed.com.au/questionnaire.
Georgie Cousens
Co-Founder, Graphic Designer and Microsoft Specialist
It was a huge success. Investors commented that the presentation was excellent.
Westpac
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It was a huge success. Investors commented that the presentation was excellent.
Westpac
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It was a huge success. Investors commented that the presentation was excellent.
Westpac
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It was a huge success. Investors commented that the presentation was excellent.
Westpac
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The presentations and the videos were amazing. They looked much better than anyone else’s at the conference and are a great positive first step towards our new brand identity and look and feel.
Red Rooster
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The presentations and the videos were amazing. They looked much better than anyone else’s at the conference and are a great positive first step towards our new brand identity and look and feel.
Red Rooster
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The presentations and the videos were amazing. They looked much better than anyone else’s at the conference and are a great positive first step towards our new brand identity and look and feel.
Red Rooster
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The presentations and the videos were amazing. They looked much better than anyone else’s at the conference and are a great positive first step towards our new brand identity and look and feel.
Red Rooster
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We absolutely LOVE these templates! Amazing work by the team – you have really hit the brief and they look better than we could have imagined!
Frasers Property
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We absolutely LOVE these templates! Amazing work by the team – you have really hit the brief and they look better than we could have imagined!
Frasers Property
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Frasers Property
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Frasers Property
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CSL
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WOW! People have looked like a cartoon when it’s been shown to them – they are that amazed that PPT can look so good and function so easily!
CSL
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WOW! People have looked like a cartoon when it’s been shown to them – they are that amazed that PPT can look so good and function so easily!
CSL
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WOW! People have looked like a cartoon when it’s been shown to them – they are that amazed that PPT can look so good and function so easily!
CSL
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I had an excellent experience working with you. There aren't many suppliers like you guys out there, who truly know how to work with design and Microsoft products.
Dept of Industry, Innovation, and Science
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I had an excellent experience working with you. There aren't many suppliers like you guys out there, who truly know how to work with design and Microsoft products.
Dept of Industry, Innovation, and Science
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I had an excellent experience working with you. There aren't many suppliers like you guys out there, who truly know how to work with design and Microsoft products.
Dept of Industry, Innovation, and Science
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I had an excellent experience working with you. There aren't many suppliers like you guys out there, who truly know how to work with design and Microsoft products.
Dept of Industry, Innovation, and Science
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Literally the best PPT I've ever seen.
Allianz
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Literally the best PPT I've ever seen.
Allianz
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Literally the best PPT I've ever seen.
Allianz
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Literally the best PPT I've ever seen.
Allianz
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Thank you! We have installed and launched and the feedback so far is great! A big thanks to the team on such an impressive product.
Sydney Water
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Thank you! We have installed and launched and the feedback so far is great! A big thanks to the team on such an impressive product.
Sydney Water
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Thank you! We have installed and launched and the feedback so far is great! A big thanks to the team on such an impressive product.
Sydney Water
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Thank you! We have installed and launched and the feedback so far is great! A big thanks to the team on such an impressive product.
Sydney Water
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Thank you for pulling out all the stops! It’s great to see that our staff are *ACTUALLY* using the templates!!
Downer EDI
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Thank you for pulling out all the stops! It’s great to see that our staff are *ACTUALLY* using the templates!!
Downer EDI
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Thank you for pulling out all the stops! It’s great to see that our staff are *ACTUALLY* using the templates!!
Downer EDI
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Thank you for pulling out all the stops! It’s great to see that our staff are *ACTUALLY* using the templates!!
Downer EDI
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Ideaseed delivered our project on time, within budget, and managed the whole process seamlessly. They were a pleasure to work with and went the extra mile to understand our needs and create a quality product.
ACMA
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Ideaseed delivered our project on time, within budget, and managed the whole process seamlessly. They were a pleasure to work with and went the extra mile to understand our needs and create a quality product.
ACMA
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Ideaseed delivered our project on time, within budget, and managed the whole process seamlessly. They were a pleasure to work with and went the extra mile to understand our needs and create a quality product.
ACMA
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Ideaseed delivered our project on time, within budget, and managed the whole process seamlessly. They were a pleasure to work with and went the extra mile to understand our needs and create a quality product.
ACMA
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Their communication with us has always been impeccable, which is a major contributor to the success of our many projects with them.
Modern Dental Pacific
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Their communication with us has always been impeccable, which is a major contributor to the success of our many projects with them.
Modern Dental Pacific
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Their communication with us has always been impeccable, which is a major contributor to the success of our many projects with them.
Modern Dental Pacific
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Their communication with us has always been impeccable, which is a major contributor to the success of our many projects with them.
Modern Dental Pacific
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I can only imagine this whole pitch process would have been 10 times crazier without your help. Your suggestions and recommendations were great, and insightful. Thank you!
Leighton Properties
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I can only imagine this whole pitch process would have been 10 times crazier without your help. Your suggestions and recommendations were great, and insightful. Thank you!
Leighton Properties
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I can only imagine this whole pitch process would have been 10 times crazier without your help. Your suggestions and recommendations were great, and insightful. Thank you!
Leighton Properties
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I can only imagine this whole pitch process would have been 10 times crazier without your help. Your suggestions and recommendations were great, and insightful. Thank you!
Leighton Properties
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You made a hard job easy - great to have the resource to help the team out of a tight spot.
CBRE
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You made a hard job easy - great to have the resource to help the team out of a tight spot.
CBRE
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You made a hard job easy - great to have the resource to help the team out of a tight spot.
CBRE
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You made a hard job easy - great to have the resource to help the team out of a tight spot.
CBRE
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Your attention to detail and commitment to doing really high quality, technically optimised work, along with your general care-factor overall, is appreciated.
Investa
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Your attention to detail and commitment to doing really high quality, technically optimised work, along with your general care-factor overall, is appreciated.
Investa
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Your attention to detail and commitment to doing really high quality, technically optimised work, along with your general care-factor overall, is appreciated.
Investa
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Your attention to detail and commitment to doing really high quality, technically optimised work, along with your general care-factor overall, is appreciated.
Investa
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Thanks so much for all the help throughout this complex process. Your template expertise was invaluable and we couldn’t have done it without you.
Charter Hall
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Thanks so much for all the help throughout this complex process. Your template expertise was invaluable and we couldn’t have done it without you.
Charter Hall
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Thanks so much for all the help throughout this complex process. Your template expertise was invaluable and we couldn’t have done it without you.
Charter Hall
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Thanks so much for all the help throughout this complex process. Your template expertise was invaluable and we couldn’t have done it without you.
Charter Hall
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The team was very helpful and professional throughout our project. It was great working with you!
John Holland
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The team was very helpful and professional throughout our project. It was great working with you!
John Holland
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The team was very helpful and professional throughout our project. It was great working with you!
John Holland
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The team was very helpful and professional throughout our project. It was great working with you!
John Holland
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Above and beyond on EVERY occasion. What more can a client ask for?
BT Financial
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Above and beyond on EVERY occasion. What more can a client ask for?
BT Financial
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Above and beyond on EVERY occasion. What more can a client ask for?
BT Financial
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Above and beyond on EVERY occasion. What more can a client ask for?
BT Financial
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Our teams love the Outlook Infographic newsletter. Really appreciate all your assistance with this!
American Express
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Our teams love the Outlook Infographic newsletter. Really appreciate all your assistance with this!
American Express
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Our teams love the Outlook Infographic newsletter. Really appreciate all your assistance with this!
American Express
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Our teams love the Outlook Infographic newsletter. Really appreciate all your assistance with this!
American Express
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We have loved working with you, the process and expectations are always very clear and we love your creativity.
Pernod Ricard Group
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We have loved working with you, the process and expectations are always very clear and we love your creativity.
Pernod Ricard Group
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We have loved working with you, the process and expectations are always very clear and we love your creativity.
Pernod Ricard Group
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We have loved working with you, the process and expectations are always very clear and we love your creativity.
Pernod Ricard Group
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Fabulous work as always!
Coca Cola Amatil
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Fabulous work as always!
Coca Cola Amatil
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Fabulous work as always!
Coca Cola Amatil
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Fabulous work as always!
Coca Cola Amatil
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The response to the templates has been overwhelmingly positive, which is great! Thank you!
Knight Frank
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The response to the templates has been overwhelmingly positive, which is great! Thank you!
Knight Frank
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The response to the templates has been overwhelmingly positive, which is great! Thank you!
Knight Frank
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The response to the templates has been overwhelmingly positive, which is great! Thank you!
Knight Frank
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It’s been a pleasure working with you. Thank you for your responsiveness and ability to support all that we’ve asked you for. We’ve got your details now, so just know that our paths will cross again!
Laing O’Rourke
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It’s been a pleasure working with you. Thank you for your responsiveness and ability to support all that we’ve asked you for. We’ve got your details now, so just know that our paths will cross again!
Laing O’Rourke
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It’s been a pleasure working with you. Thank you for your responsiveness and ability to support all that we’ve asked you for. We’ve got your details now, so just know that our paths will cross again!
Laing O’Rourke
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It’s been a pleasure working with you. Thank you for your responsiveness and ability to support all that we’ve asked you for. We’ve got your details now, so just know that our paths will cross again!
Laing O’Rourke
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We couldn’t be more pleased with our suite of templates delivered by Ideaseed. Beautifully designed, thoughtfully constructed, and speedily delivered. It’s been wonderful (and so simple) working with you.
Orro
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We couldn’t be more pleased with our suite of templates delivered by Ideaseed. Beautifully designed, thoughtfully constructed, and speedily delivered. It’s been wonderful (and so simple) working with you.
Orro
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We couldn’t be more pleased with our suite of templates delivered by Ideaseed. Beautifully designed, thoughtfully constructed, and speedily delivered. It’s been wonderful (and so simple) working with you.
Orro
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We couldn’t be more pleased with our suite of templates delivered by Ideaseed. Beautifully designed, thoughtfully constructed, and speedily delivered. It’s been wonderful (and so simple) working with you.
Orro
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The team are a delight to work with, and their creative ideas are always reflected in the work they produce. The pieces they have provided are incredibly beautiful and they have gone above and beyond.
Southern Cross Dental
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The team are a delight to work with, and their creative ideas are always reflected in the work they produce. The pieces they have provided are incredibly beautiful and they have gone above and beyond.
Southern Cross Dental
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The team are a delight to work with, and their creative ideas are always reflected in the work they produce. The pieces they have provided are incredibly beautiful and they have gone above and beyond.
Southern Cross Dental
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The team are a delight to work with, and their creative ideas are always reflected in the work they produce. The pieces they have provided are incredibly beautiful and they have gone above and beyond.
Southern Cross Dental
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Thank you so much - it was much quicker than I was expecting! Your team is so great to work with.
Australian Super
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Thank you so much - it was much quicker than I was expecting! Your team is so great to work with.
Australian Super
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Thank you so much - it was much quicker than I was expecting! Your team is so great to work with.
Australian Super
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Thank you so much - it was much quicker than I was expecting! Your team is so great to work with.
Australian Super
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Ideaseed were an absolute pleasure to partner with. They provided exceptional service and communication throughout the process and continue to support us.
iseek
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Ideaseed were an absolute pleasure to partner with. They provided exceptional service and communication throughout the process and continue to support us.
iseek
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Ideaseed were an absolute pleasure to partner with. They provided exceptional service and communication throughout the process and continue to support us.
iseek
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Ideaseed were an absolute pleasure to partner with. They provided exceptional service and communication throughout the process and continue to support us.
iseek
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The ideaseed difference
We’re fast. Really fast
We know time is of the essence, so we pride ourselves on quick, efficient delivery without sacrificing quality. Whether you have a tight deadline or need a last-minute update, our team is committed to delivering polished results within even the tightest timeframe.
We get AI
AI is changing how teams work. We build templates that give AI the best possible foundation - clean layouts, properly styled headings, and logical formatting that AI can actually read and use. Not all templates are equal when AI enters the room. Ours are built ready.
We’re reliable. Always
Our clients trust us because we consistently deliver beautiful, high-quality work. We understand the importance of dependable tools in your business, and we never compromise on quality or functionality.
We go the extra mile
We don’t just meet expectations; we exceed them. We take the time to understand your needs and find creative, tailored solutions that make your work easier and more effective. Our commitment to going above and beyond means you get more than just a template — you get a partner who genuinely cares about your success.