Template Issues

Fix Word 365 Automatically Adding Borders to AutoText Tables

Olivia Miller Sep 29, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to prevent Microsoft Word from automatically restoring table borders on borderless tables saved as AutoText entries within a global template.

How to Stop Word 365 from Automatically Adding Borders to AutoText Tables

Product: Microsoft Word 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Inserting a borderless table saved as an AutoText entry from a custom global template.
Observed behavior: Word 365 automatically restores the borders on the table when the AutoText entry is inserted, even though the borders were removed before the template was saved.

Before you start

Before modifying your template styles, make sure to create a backup copy of your global template file and your Normal.dotm file to prevent accidental formatting loss.

Solution 1Recommended

Modify the Table Style and Base Formatting

Adjust the underlying table style settings to ensure borders are permanently removed from your AutoText entries.

Often, Word restores table borders because the AutoText entry relies on an underlying table style that enforces borders. Editing the 'Style based on' attribute can resolve this conflict.

Insert the affected AutoText

Open a blank document and insert the affected AutoText table that has the unwanted borders.

Access Table Styles

Click anywhere inside the table, navigate to the 'Table Design' tab on the ribbon, and expand the Table Styles gallery.

Modify Table Style

Click on 'Modify Table Style' at the bottom of the gallery menu to open the Modify Style dialog box.

Check Base Style Settings

Examine the 'Style based on' dropdown menu. If it inherits from a style with borders (like Table Grid), change the border settings to 'No Border' within this dialog.

Apply to Template

Select 'New documents based on this template' at the bottom of the dialog box and click 'OK' to save the changes permanently.

Modify the Table Style and Base Formatting

Template Saving: Ensure you save the global template file after making these style changes so the AutoText entry retains the correct borderless formatting for future use.

Solution 2

Test with a Clean Normal Template or Disable Add-ins

Determine if the issue is caused by corruption in the default template or interference from third-party add-ins.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Word keep adding borders to my tables?

This usually happens because table styles or underlying formatting relationships in your template override local formatting when an AutoText entry is inserted. If the base style dictates borders, Word will reapply them.

Where is the Normal.dotm file located in Windows?

The default template file is typically located in the C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates folder. You may need to enable 'Hidden items' in Windows File Explorer to see the AppData folder.

How do I save a table as AutoText without losing its formatting?

Ensure the table is formatted using a dedicated Table Style rather than local manual overrides. Once your style is set up properly, select the entire table and press Alt+F3 to save it to the AutoText gallery.

Will modifying a table style affect other tables in my document?

Yes, updating a table style will update all existing tables in your document that use that specific style. If you want to isolate the change, it is best to create a brand new custom table style exclusively for your AutoText entries.

Document & File Issues