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How to apply a Word template to an existing Word document?

Author: Kelly Last Modified: 2025-04-07

Applying a template to a new Word document is quite simple. However, updating or changing the template of an existing Word document can be more complex. The method below will help you apply or change a Word template in an existing document with ease.

Apply a Word template to an existing Word document


Apply a Word template to an existing Word document

Follow the steps below to apply or change a Word template in an existing document:

  1. Open the Word document to which you want to apply the template. Click "File" > "Options" to open the Word Options dialog box.
  2. In the Word Options dialog box:
    1. Click "Add-ins" in the left sidebar.
    2. Select "Templates" from the "Manage" drop-down list.
    3. Click the "Go" button.
      Select Templates from Word Options
  3. In the Templates and Add-ins dialog box:
    1. Check the "Automatically update document styles" option.
    2. Click the "Attach" button.
      Templates and Add-ins dialog box
  4. In the Attach Template dialog box:
    1. Open the folder where your personal template is saved.
    2. Select the desired template file.
    3. Click "Open".
      Attach Template window

      Note: If you saved your template in the default Custom Office Templates folder, you can quickly access it with the path %username%\Documents\Custom Office Templates.

  5. When returned to the Templates and Add-ins dialog box, click "OK". The specified template will now be applied to your Word document.
    The specified Word template is applied to the existing Word document
  6. To remove a personal template and restore the default Word template, repeat the steps above and choose the default template file instead.

    Note: The default template folder path is C:\Users\your_user_name\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates.

    Illustration to restore the default template

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