need to restore blank document button within Microsoft Word

Question

Hi, there. I am a new user; my computer runs Vista. For some reason, I mistakenly must have changed my 'blank document' button (on top left of page) in Microsoft Word. When I click the 'blank' button, a CREATED document appears. I even have gone back to the original CREATED document and deleted it. But when I click the 'blank document' button, it still comes up. I am afraid to use the 'restore defaults' button, because someone helped me set up my computer in the first place and I believe they changed a number of things within the defaults setting. Does anyone have any tips? Thanks for your advice.

Mary G · Answer

Close Word. Find and delete NORMAL.DOT and when you reopen Word it will be recreated. Next time you save a document, change the Save File as box to document instead of DOT file--template.

abach · Answer

Just to add to Mary's post...   It may be easier to find the Normal.dot file by clicking Start, Run, then type   %userprofile%\application data\microsoft	emplates   and click OK. This will show the hidden folder where your Normal.dot template is stored.

Anne Cherkinian · Answer

Thanks so much for your suggestion. However, in Vista, there is no 'run.' Does anyone know how to do this step in Vista?

abach · Answer

Sorry about that. You did mention Vista in your post. I'm not sure if the command will open the correct folder in Vista, but it's worth a try.

If you want to restore it permanently to your Start menu, here's what you do:

Right-click on the Start menu and choose Properties;
Select the Start Menu tab and click on the Customize... button;
Ensure the "Run command" option is checked.

Message Edited by abach on 06-27-2007 03:05 PM

Anne Cherkinian · Answer

Dear friends,   I am trying to follow instructions as per your suggestions. However, I cannot find 'normal.dot' anywhere. When I type in %userprofile%\App Data, it gives me a number of options such as 'local' and 'roaming.' I've looked through all these files and still cannot detect the hidden 'normal.dot.' Any other thoughts?   Perplexed in Peoria

abach · Answer

Are you using Word 2007? If so, the file will be named Normal.dotm.

Anne Cherkinian · Answer

Dear helpful friends,   To answer the most recent question, no, I am not using Word 2007. I didn't even KNOW there was a Word 2007 because when I ordered my new computer, they sent Word 2002, a copy of which I already owned due to a previous Dell purchase. The Dell sales rep didn't mention a Word 2007.   I am thinking that perhaps one of these 2 things are occuring:   1. I am not using the 'search' function properly, or 2. Vista does not recognize 'normal.com.' Another problem I am having is that the spell check doesn't work. When I highlight a word and press the appropriate button on the task bar, it says something like, 'there is no spell check for this language.' This happens whether I'm in a Word document, or on the Internet. Weird.   So, I am still stuck with my original problem. Any more suggestions?   Perplexed in Peoria

abach · Answer

Since you're using Word 2002, you can use the support.dot template to fix problems. Click << here >> to view the information on how to install and use the support.dot template. It is quite long, but worth the effort. Your spell check and other problems should be fixed with this file. I know first hand how frustrating this can be. I work with this kind of problem every day.

Anne Cherkinian · Answer

Hi, Allan.   You are right - the steps to 'fix' my computer do look rather daunting. Wouldn't it be easier to order Microsoft 2007 if it is available? Frankly, I'd rather pay $80 for Word 2007 than go through all these steps. Since my Dell purchase was so recent, I may even be able to get them to swap 2007 for 2002. Or would I face the same problems with Word + Vista, no matter what Word program is running? What do you think about that?   I'm disappointed that my Dell sales rep didn't warn me about complications with Word when I ordered Vista (and paid $80 for the privilege of ordering Word 2002.) My husband and I are both professional writers, and we are extremely dependent on Word. Frankly, I doubt that our editors would be keen on us using anything else when we e-mail our articles to them. This could be a major drawback for us.   Being a 'newbie' is no fun!   Signed, Perplexed

Rebel9 · Answer

Well Anne, I find it very hard to believe that any Dell sales rep sold you Word 2002 with a new Vista computer. That version of Word is now 3 generations old and probably the only place you can purchase it is perhaps on eBay.   Microsoft does not even support Office 2002 on Vista. If in fact you actually bought Word 2002 on a new Vista computer, I'd be talking to Dell customer service. I know of NO computer manufacturer or dealer who sells any part of any Office 2002 product with a new computer.   In any event, if you do actually have Word 2002, the Support Template is EXTREMELY EASY to use. Install it and follow the instructions.

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need to restore blank document button within Microsoft Word

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