I made a template with building blocks/quick parts that are saved into the template. I want this to be a shareable template so that's why I've saved the building blocks in the template. Whenever I try to change the template (by opening a doc from that template, making changes, and then saving that as the same template file) I get the error 'Word cannot give a document the same name as an open document'. I can't save it as a different named template because the quick parts are linked to the original template. Can I open the template file without opening a doc so that I can edit the template directly?

Open the template, do not create a document based on the template. Then save it.

• Opening a Template for Editing
• Automated Boilerplate Using Microsoft Word

A template containing building blocks can be edited the same way as any other template: open the template for editing via File > Open > Browse in Word.

You can't edit the building blocks themselves in the template, though. You will have to create a new building block and then choose to overwrite the existing building block.

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Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional