NORMAL.DOT

**Found in Microsoft Word 95 thru 2003**

Normal.dot Overview: What is Normal.dot?

The Normal.dot is the main default template file in Microsoft Word. Because it contains a lot of customization settings, it is prone to corruption. Ergo, many problems experienced while working in Microsoft Word can be attributed to this file. The most common fix is to force generate a new, clean version of this troublesome file. This can resolve a lot of problems such as, but not limited to:

* Word not opening or closing properly
* Hidden module errors
* Clearing virus issues
* Fixing text or formatting problems
* Seeing the same document every time you open a new Word document

The Resolution:

If you are confident you have not created and applied any custom settings (if you did, you'd most likely know it) to the default template (Normal.dot), the easiest and fastest remedy is to search for and delete any present instances of the normal.dot file. However, if you are still unsure you made adjustments to it or just want to play it safe, we’ll show you a better, safer way. NOTE: Word should not be running when you begin these steps. If you have it open, close it out.

 

Step 1. Fix Normal.dot

Click on Start. When the Start window opens, locate and click on Search (See pic below).

Step 2. Where is Normal.dot in Word?

Once the Search Results window opens, click on the green arrow button next to, “All files and folders”. Next, enter "Normal.dot" in the field labeled, "All or part of the file name:" (see Figure 1 below). The newer versions of Microsoft Word come with the Normal.dot files hidden by default. But you can include these hidden files in your search in Windows XP by simply clicking on the drop-down menu arrows next to, “More advanced options” and checking the box next to, “Search hidden files and folders” (see Figure 2 below).

 

Fig. 1                                              Fig. 2

Now click on Search and let the program do its thing. Below you will see my search results:

 

Step 3. How to Change Normal.dot

For each occurrence of Normal.dot that appears, right-click the file and select, "Rename" from the drop down list. Rename the file to "oldNormal.dot" and restart Word. Microsoft Word will now launch, and after not finding its previous default template file (we changed the name in the steps above), will build a fresh one on its own.

If Word starts successfully, and whatever issues it was previously suffering from, “Congratulations!” You have resolved the problem. In your case, that problem being a damaged or corrupt Normal.dot template file. At this point you can choose to go back and delete the now renamed oldNormal.dot files or simply leave them alone. They don’t take up any significant space and with their names now changed, MS Word will merely ignore them.

 

Epilogue

You might need to tweak a few settings to restore your favorite MS Word options if you set any. If the Normal.dot file you renamed contained customizations, such as styles, macros, or AutoText entries that cannot be easily recreated, it’s possible that you may be able to copy those customizations from the oldNormal.dot file to the new Normal.dot file by using the Organizer. You can find more info on using this tool by opening the Office Assistant (that funky, animated paper clip guy) and typing “Using the Organizer” in the search field and selecting, Search (see Figure 3 below). Now select, Use Settings from another document or template (you may have to scroll down the list a bit)(see Figure 4 below) and that will get you started.

 

Fig 3.                                         Fig 4.

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