Template Issues

How to Fix Microsoft Word Opening a Blank Document with Text and Formatting

Khadija Khan Oct 8, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to open a completely blank Word document, but selecting 'Blank document' loads pre-existing content.

How to Fix Microsoft Word Opening a Blank Document with Text and Formatting

Product: Microsoft Word 2016
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Creating a new blank document from the startup screen or file menu.
Observed behavior: Instead of an empty page, the new document contains unexpected default content, such as a title page, table of contents, headers, and footers.

Before you start

Ensure Microsoft Word is completely closed before attempting to modify or rename template files. It is also recommended to back up any customized settings if you use specific macros or custom styles.

Solution 1Recommended

Reset the Default Normal.dotm Template

Renaming the corrupted or altered Normal.dotm file forces Word to generate a fresh, truly blank default template upon the next launch.

Word relies on a global template file named Normal.dotm to dictate the default formatting and content of every new 'Blank document'. If this file was accidentally overwritten with text or layout elements, every new document will display them.

Close Microsoft Word

Make sure Word 2016 and all its document windows are completely closed so the template file is not locked by the system.

Open the Templates Folder

Press the Windows Key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box. Type %appdata%\Microsoft\Templates and press Enter.

Rename the Template File

Locate the file named Normal.dotm (it may just appear as Normal if your file extensions are hidden). Right-click the file, select Rename, and change its name to NormalOld.dotm.

Restart Word

Open Microsoft Word and select 'Blank document'. Word will automatically detect that the template is missing and generate a brand new, completely blank Normal.dotm file.

Organizational Templates: If you are using a company computer, your default template might be controlled by organizational policies or a custom startup add-in. Contact your IT administrator if resetting Normal.dotm does not resolve the issue.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my new blank Word document have text in it?

This happens when the default global template (Normal.dotm) is accidentally saved with text, headers, or formatting. Word uses this template as the starting point for every new document, so any content saved there will appear automatically.

Will renaming Normal.dotm delete my fonts or macros?

Renaming the Normal.dotm file will reset your default font, paragraph spacing, and custom macros stored in that specific template. However, your custom fonts installed on the operating system will remain, and keeping the renamed file (e.g., NormalOld.dotm) allows you to recover macros later.

How do I show file extensions to find Normal.dotm?

Open File Explorer, click on the 'View' tab at the top of the window, and check the box next to 'File name extensions'. This will allow you to see the .dotm extension on the Normal template file.

Can a Word add-in cause a blank document to load with content?

Yes, certain third-party add-ins or enterprise document management systems can override Word's default startup behavior or inject customized templates. Try starting Word in Safe Mode to see if an add-in is the culprit.

Document & File Issues