I have created a document template to use to create procedures. It has many drop downs and other control fields. When I open the template file to use, it opens as a .doc file in which I can then save. The problem is I have to constantly add new items to drop down lists. It would be much easier to be able to add them as I use a new .doc file then be able to automatically make the changes to the master template when I save the .doc file, so the next time I use the template, the new items in the drop down lists will be there inthe .doc file created. I know I can just add them to the template first but it would be easier for me to be able to kind of update the master template as I work on new procedures (.doc files). I wasn't sure if there was a way to do this or not.

Without writing a custom macro to do this, I would suggest this: Make the changes to your doc and save it. Before closing the doc, perform a "Save as,"
navigate to the template and save it as the template. You will get a pop-up asking if you wish to replace the existing one; say yes.

If you should get a pop-up telling you that you cannot save as a document already open (i.e., the template, which Word may consider to be in use, since a document based on it is open), tings get a bit more cumbersome. You would have to alter the template name temporarily, in the "Save as" box, perhaps just adding a 1 to the end (for instance, mytemplate1.dot). After saving this, and then closing your document, you would then have to delete or archive your original template and rename the new one without the 1.

If I open the .doc file from the template file I am able to make changes to the content controls as well as add new items in the dropdowns as I continue to fill out the form. When I am finished filling everything in and have added the additional items in the dropdowns like I want, when I go to save it as the template file, this will produce a template with the items added to the dropdowns, but it will have all of the content controls I chose when filling out the form preselected. I would like it to be reset to the original template with the additional items added to the dropdowns. Is there a way to do this? Thanks

I am still trying to figure this out. Does anyone has any ideas? Thanks