How Do I Remove a Template From a Word Document?

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Global templates can work with documents based on other templates.
Image Credit: John Rowley/Digital Vision/Getty Images

You can manage the templates associated with your documents in Microsoft Word 2013 with the Templates and Add-ins dialog. When you attach a different template to an existing document, the document can automatically update the styles in your document to reflect the attached template. If you're currently using a global template that applies to all Word documents, you can unload the template in the Global Templates and Add-Ins box.

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Open the Templates and Add-Ins Dialog

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Step 1

Open Word. Click "File" and then "Options" on the bottom of the left sidebar. The Word Options dialog provides you with a variety of settings to help you manage Word.

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Step 2

Click "Add-Ins" on the left sidebar. A list of Microsoft Office Add-ins appears under Add-Ins.

Step 3

Select "Templates" in the box next to Manage at the bottom and then click the "Go…" button. The Templates and Add-Ins dialog opens with your current template listed in the field under Document Template.

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Change an Attached Template

Step 1

Open the "Templates and Add-Ins" dialog. The name of your current template appears in the field under Document Template.

Step 2

Click the "Attach…" button under Document Template. The Attach Template dialog opens the Microsoft's Templates folder on your PC.

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Step 3

Select the template you want to attach and then click "Open." For example, open "Normal.dotm" to choose Word's normal blank document template.

Step 4

Check the "Automatically Update Document Styles" box to update the styles in your document to match the styles in your selected template. Click the "OK" button.[Ref#2] Your document's Styles are updated to match the Styles in the attached template. The previous template is no longer attached to your document.

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Unload a Global Template

Step 1

Open "Templates and Add-Ins" in Word. The checked items in box under Global Templates and Add-Ins are currently loaded in Word.

Step 2

Uncheck the box next to the template you want to unload. For example, uncheck "Normal.dotm." Alternatively, select the template and then click the "Remove" button to remove it from Global Templates and Add-Ins.

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Step 3

Click the "OK" button. Unloading or removing a template from Global Templates and Add-Ins removes it from Word, but it remains on your PC in its original file location, such as Microsoft's Templates folder.

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