The idea of using the Normal style only as the "base" style and creating different an individual style even for the body text has gotten me to thin (
https://www.msofficeforums.com/word/...g-first.html): maybe I should employ the same mechanism between the Normal.DOT and other templates.

I don't use templates (.DOT). I have many different non-.DOT templates in .DOC files - e.g., outline, manuscript, book review - for specific use. Whenever I need a specific "template", I bring up one of those empty .DOC files, rename the file appropriately and start working. Why? My understanding is that a template provides the basis for not only different styles but also macros, toolbars and keyboard shortcuts. To me, the latter is vastly more important than a set of styles suited for particular type of writing. But, if you can use the Normal.DOT as the "master" template, and make other templates based on it dynamically update the macros, keyboard shortcuts, etc from Normal.DOT, I can finally incorporate the .DOT template into my workflow. Incorporating a .DOT template into my workflow will have benefits: I can change the styles in all my writing of particular type (e.g., book review) en mass with ease (or can I? https://www.msofficeforums.com/word/...e-changes.html)


So, can you make other templates dynamically update macros/etc. from Normal.DOT, in a manner similar to how other styles based on the normal style will automatically update themselves whenever the normal style changes?

See Templates in Microsoft Word.

You have a number of misunderstandings of how the normal template works.

The normal template will supply:

• Styles
• Macros
• Keyboard Shortcuts
• Toolbars
• AutoText
• Margins

to any new document started from File>New where another template is not specified. It is the base for the "blank document." It will supply everything except styles and margins to any document, new or existing. The normal template would share any text in the template as well except that you should not have any text (including headers or footers or page numbers) in the normal template.

A Global Template other than the normal template will do the same but will not supply styles unless special arrangements are made. A Global StyleSheet in Microsoft Word? A global template other than normal.dot will not supply margins or text (other than AutoText).

A document template will supply the same to any document created based on that template. If it has macros of the same name, or keyboard shortcuts using the same keys as macros and keyboard shortcuts in the normal template, the ones in the document template will control. The exact hierarchy of templates is is set forth in the first article. Document templates are expected to share text and often have preset language as well as headers/footers and page numbers.

Using a template to create new documents is far preferable to opening a document and using SaveAs. Probably the biggest reason is that it reduces the chance of overwriting your "template" document by accident.

So, do not create your new templates by opening the normal template and using SaveAs. Create them from documents unless there is something particular you want in your template that is already in another template. In that case, base the new template on an old one, but not normal.dot. Unless the new template has the same macros or keyboard shortcuts in them, those in the normal template will be fully operational.

Examples of templates that I base on other templates are my letter templates and my legal pleadings. Both have special macros that import parts from AutoText or from other documents so that a change in one place changes all like forms.

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.