Creating Your own Template

Using the example of a personal letter-heading:

1. Open an old personal letter which you have created:
2. Remove all the content in the main (blue) area i.e. everything after "Dear", but preserve the closing words ("Yours xyz" and your name and position) - the pink area. So now you are left just with the constant wording at the top (yellow) and the closing words. The 'content' area will shrink. When you use the template, you simply type your message in the central area, starting with the name of the recipient.

Saving Your Template

First of all, understand that we are going to save the document in the Template format, not the default Document format. Then we need ensure that we save to a location that Word understands and can display for you in its File>New dialog.

Setting a folder for all Personal templates

By default, no meaningful folder is set for this but it is needed in order to organise you personal, templates. It is a once-and-for-all setting.

Where to put them? - type %appdata%\Microsoft\Templates\ into the search box (circle icon, next to the Start button) then, after File Explorer opens, then copy the address that's displayed in the File Explorer address bar. Now , in Word, click File > Options > Save, and then paste the address into the Default Personal Templates Location box.

When you have done this, the next step is simplified.

Saving as a Template Filetype

I have given a strong clue in the title!

Select File>SaveAs and select the default folder offered, then in the Save as Type, select "Word Template *.dotx". As soon as you do that step, notice that the address in the bar at the top has changed to the newly-set location. Click Save and you are done!

Using Your Template

Select File>New, and in the dialog select PERSONAL rather than the default FEATURED and there is your personal template in all its glory.