Template Issues

How to Make Custom Word Templates Appear on the New Page

Steven Parker Oct 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

Users want to know how to display their custom document templates under the File > New section instead of having to add them as Active Application Add-ins.

How to Make Custom Word Templates Appear on the New Page

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Organizing custom templates so they are easily accessible when creating new documents.
Observed behavior: Custom templates do not appear under the New menu if added as Add-ins. They only appear when placed in correctly configured personal or workgroup template locations.

Before you start

Ensure you have your custom template files ready and note the current folder path where they are saved on your computer.

Solution 1Recommended

Set a Personal Template Location

Configure your default personal template folder so Word automatically shows your templates under the Personal or Custom tab.

Document templates should not be loaded as Active Application Add-ins, as add-ins are intended for program code and macros. Instead, you need to designate a specific folder for your templates.

Open Word Options

Launch Microsoft Word, click on the 'File' tab in the upper-left corner, and select 'Options' at the bottom of the menu.

Navigate to Save Settings

In the Word Options dialog box, click on 'Save' in the left-hand navigation pane.

Specify Folder Path

Locate the 'Default personal templates location' field. Type or paste the exact folder path where you want to store your custom templates (for example, C:\Users\[YourName]\Documents\Custom Office Templates).

Apply and Move Files

Click 'OK' to save your changes. Ensure all your custom template files (.dotx or .dotm) are moved into this exact folder.

Access the Templates

Go to 'File' > 'New'. You should now see a 'Personal' or 'Custom' tab next to the 'Office' tab. Click it to view and use your custom templates.

Template Organization: You can organize your templates into subfolders within the personal template location. These subfolders will appear as separate folders under the Personal tab.

Solution 2

Configure a Workgroup Template Location

If you are sharing templates across a team, configure a Workgroup Templates folder to access shared files from a network drive.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my custom templates not showing up under File > New?

This usually happens if the template files are saved in the wrong directory or if the 'Default personal templates location' path is not defined in Word Options. Make sure the folder path in File > Options > Save exactly matches where your templates are stored.

What is the difference between an Add-in and a Word Template?

A Word Template (.dotx or .dotm) defines the layout, styles, and formatting for new documents. An Add-in typically contains macros or program code designed to extend the functionality of the Word application itself.

Where is the default Normal.dotm template stored?

The Normal.dotm template is typically stored in the User Templates folder (often located at C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates). This specific folder does not normally appear under the File > New menu.

Document & File Issues