How to Install A Custom Word Template

Tech

Your custom Word template is made of three files:

Template FileThis file is set up with the styles and formatting to make everything you produce in Word branded with your company’s look and feel. This file has the format “FileName.dotx”
Theme FileThis file tells Word which colors should be default for your template. This file has the format “FileName.thmx”
Fonts FileThis file tells Word which fonts should be default for your template. This file has the format “FileName.xml”

Note that you will also need the appropriate fonts installed. See our posts on installing fonts on Mac and installing fonts on Windows.

Installing the Template on Mac OS X

The Template File

This file needs to be saved in User:Library:Application Support:Microsoft:Office:User Templates:My Templates

Note: The Library folder may be hidden. Run this command in Terminal App to unhide the Library folder chflags nohidden ~/Library/ and it will stay unhidden until the next Mac OS X update. Apple will rudely change Library back to hidden automatically without asking when you update.

The Theme File

This file needs to be saved in User:Library:Application Support:Microsoft:Office:User Templates:My Themes

The Fonts File

This file needs to be saved in User:Library:Application Support:Microsoft:Office:User Templates:My Themes:Theme Fonts

Presto!

Once you’ve installed all three of these, you should be good to go!

Installing the Template on Windows

First you must find the Template folder, which contains the theme and font theme folder, for your version of Word and Windows.

Because there are so many possible combinations, it would be quite a task to break down the steps for you. Lucky for us, others in the world have already conquered that task.

For Microsoft Office Word 2007 and 2010 on Windows XP, Vista, 7 and 8, please reference this Microsoft help article.

For Microsoft Office 2013 and 2016 on Windows 7 and above, this is the help article for you.

Just move the custom theme files we have sent you to the folders/sub folders specified in the article and you’re all set!

About the Author: Jen

Leader of the Artsy Geek team and creator of Camp Artsy Geek, Jen comes from a long line of get-rich-quick-schemers. A serial entrepreneur, she launched her first business at the age of 12: a crocheted goods pop-up. A lover of good design and effective marketing, Jen believes that life -- and business -- should be fun and enjoyable. Life is short! Follow your dreams and train your brain to support your success. We're in this together. Rock on!