Template Issues

How to Apply a Word Template to an Existing Document

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to attach a template to an existing Microsoft Word document to update its styles and layout.

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Updating the formatting and layout of an existing document by applying a previously created or downloaded template.
Observed behavior: The user wants the existing document to seamlessly adopt the styles, headers, footers, and layout properties defined in the target template.

Before you start

Ensure you have the target template file (.dotx or .dotm) saved on your computer and that you are using the desktop version of Word, as the web version does not support template attachment.

Solution 1Recommended

Attach a Template Using the Developer Tab

Use the built-in Templates and Add-ins feature to link a new template to your current document and update its styles.

This method is ideal for updating document styles such as fonts, colors, and heading formats. Note that attaching a template may not completely override structural page layouts like margins or column settings.

Enable the Developer Tab

If the Developer tab is not visible, go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon, check the box next to 'Developer' in the right pane, and click OK.

Open Templates and Add-ins

Click on the Developer tab in the ribbon and select 'Document Template' from the Add-ins group.

Attach the Template

In the Templates and Add-ins dialog box, click the 'Attach' button. Browse your computer to locate and select your desired template file.

Update Document Styles

Check the box labeled 'Automatically update document styles' to ensure the existing text adopts the formatting from the newly attached template, then click OK.

Web Version Limitations: Word for the Web has limited template support and does not include the Document Template feature. You must open the document in the desktop application to perform these steps.

Solution 2

Apply Template by Copying Content to a New Document

Best for major layout changes where attaching a template does not fully override the existing document's page settings.

Easily Manage Document Templates with WPS Writer

WPS Writer offers a seamless way to create, apply, and manage document templates. It provides a vast library of built-in templates and allows you to intuitively apply new styles to your existing documents without complex menus.

1. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open the existing document you wish to format.
2. Access Page Layout or Design: Navigate to the Page Layout tab to quickly adjust margins, orientation, and structural layouts to match your desired template.
3. Utilize the Template Library: Click on the Home tab and select 'Templates' to browse and apply fresh, pre-designed structures directly to your workspace.
4. Import Text into Templates: If using a newly downloaded WPS template, simply open it and paste your existing text using 'Match Destination Formatting' to instantly adopt the new design.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word formats (.docx, .dotx, .dotm)Access to a rich, built-in library of free professional templatesLightweight application with a highly intuitive, user-friendly interface

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why didn't my document layout change after attaching a template?

Attaching a template primarily updates paragraph and character styles (like fonts, colors, and headings). It often does not alter structural page layouts such as margins, paper size, or page orientation. For major layout changes, it is better to paste your existing text into a new document created from the template.

How do I turn off automatic style updates from a template?

Go to the Developer tab, click 'Document Template', and uncheck the 'Automatically update document styles' box. This prevents the document from reverting to the template's default styles every time it is opened, which is useful if you want to keep manual formatting changes.

Can I apply a Word template using Word for the Web?

No, Word for the web does not feature the 'Templates and Add-ins' dialog required to attach a .dotx file to an existing document. To apply a template, you must click 'Open in Desktop App' to use the full Windows or macOS version of Word.

Document & File Issues