Templates
Templates in Word are a guide for how you would like your document to appear.
One great use of templates is to store boilerplate documents (i.e., contracts, forms, legal pleadings, etc.). I use templates to create boilerplate documents all the time. Everyone knows that I detest wasting time and keystrokes. Why reinvent the wheel every time you need a document? Oh, I know lots of folks copy and paste documents all the time and then go through and change the variables. But again, why go to all that trouble and also widen the margin for error?
Once you open your new document based on the template, all the boilerplate information is in place and ready to use. All you need to do is insert the variables.
How To Create A Boilerplate Template
Follow the steps below to learn how to create a boilerplate document:
- Create a new document that is based on the template you want for your boilerplate.
- Click F12 to display the Save As dialog box.
- In the Save as Type pull-down list, select Word Template or, if your template will contain macros, Word Macro-Enabled Template. This will ensure that your document is saved as a template.
- Key in a new name for your template and select where you would like to have it saved.
- Click on Save.
- Make your changes to the template, making sure to enter any necessary boilerplate text.
- Save your work and close the template file.
Your template has now been created. When you want to use it, simply create your new document based on the template you have created. Your new document will contain all the boilerplate text you entered above, and you will have saved lots and lots of time and keystrokes!
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