To clarify, to use someone else's template, simply use it. You do not need to copy anything from your normal template into that template. The only thing that will not be available in your document based on someone else's template is conflicting styles in the normal template. You can import them later if you want, individually or en masse. Macros to Copy Styles from the Normal Template

Charles,

Thanks much for your reply, and for reviewing the how-to info I posted.

You mentioned, "You do not substitute the template for your Normal.dotm. [EVER]"

The solution I posted doesn't involve that substitution. The solution is to replace my customized Normal.dotm with Word's default Normal.dotm. The customizations I had in Normal.dotm are moved to two new templates.

I got that approach from an article on Word templates, which recommends doing that:
10 Things: How to use Word templates effectively | TechRepublic

Also, this article recommends a similar approach:
What do Templates and Add-ins store?

That approach is different than the one you recommended:
"To clarify, to use someone else's template, simply use it. You do not need to copy anything from your normal template into that template."

It seems both approaches have their own advantages and disadvantages?

Thanks again,
Jim

Charles,

In my how-to document, I was mistaken in saying Normal.dotm styles are always available. THANK YOU for correcting me on that:

> "All of your macros stored in your Normal Template will still be available. Styles will not..."

If a new document is created and a template chosen (not Normal.dotm), I mistakenly thought the styles in Normal.dotm would be available.
I now understand that, in this case, Normal.dotm is used as a global template, so the styles in Normal.dotm aren't available.

FYI, Your web-page on templates seems to indicate that the styles in Normal.dotm are always available. I copied that text below. Though, I may be misreading your web-page. Any clarification is appreciated.

Thanks again, your web-page on templates has been very helpful,
Jim

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From your web-page on templates:

SECTION: Normal.dotm - the pan-global template - the granddaddy of all document templates

Normal.dotm ... is a special global document template ... Also unlike other global templates, it shares styles with all open documents...


SECTION: The hierarchy of templates...

All styles in Normal.dotm / Normal.dot are available to all documents.