You can open a new document, modify it as needed, and then save the file as a template file.

This inheritance is good but can have unexpected consequences if you base a template on an existing document. Everything in the template is available in the new document. When you apply a template to a document, Word applies the template’s styles and structure to the new document. You’ll find most options via the Options command on the Tools menu. These tips also apply to Word 2003 templates, which you’ll create and access via the File menu. There’s no downloadable demonstration file for this article. Specific instructions are for Word 2016 but differences in earlier versions are insignificant. In this article, I’ll share a few tips that will improve your template experience. Unfortunately, templates are misunderstood and underused because successfully implementing them requires a bit of specialized knowledge.

Templates let you reuse the same structure and styles in numerous documents. These tips will help you get the maximum benefit with the least effort. Word templates can simplify your work and make you more productive. 10 Things: How to use Word templates effectively

How to use a template on microsoft word