I would also point out that you are confusing the "normal" style and the normal.dot template. This confusion is understandable given the nomenclature.

In Word 2003 the normal style is used as a default base for most other styles and in creating envelopes and labels. It is present in every document and template whether or not it is used.

I avoid using it and base most of my text styles on my "body text" style. My heading styles are also not based on the normal style but cascade. See Understanding Styles in Microsoft Word.

Additional recommended reading:

• Seven Laws of Styles (Word of Law) by Bob Blacksberg
• StyleRef Field
• How styles in Microsoft Word cascade
• Why use Microsoft Word’s built-in heading styles?
• How to apply a style in Microsoft Word
• Tips for Understanding Styles in Word
• How to create numbered headings or outline numbering in Word 2003 and earlier versions

If you gather that I think that an understanding of both templates and styles is crucial to using Word effectively, you would be right.

One final point is to make sure that any document you use as the basis for a template does NOT have the option checked to update styles from the template. (Tools > Templates and Add-Ins) See http://www.shaunakelly.com/word/shar...matchange.html.