Loading a Global Template

In a previous post we saved a custom macro-filled template in the Word’s Start-up folder so that the template would be automatically installed whenever Word is opened. This makes the macros and shortcuts saved in the template available for use.Another option is to save the template outside of the Start-up folder and install the template just when we need to. In this post we will record a couple macros to install and uninstall our custom template.Note that we describe this as ‘installing’ the template not ‘opening’ it. You can open the template directly whenever you want to make changes to the macros or shortcuts. But you don’t have to open it to use the macros and shortcut. Instead, you can ‘install’ the template which makes it’s macros and shortcuts available to all the documents you open and create.First, let’s start the ‘Macro Recorder.’ Lets name the macro ‘InstallCustomTemplate’:

(Note, we are saving this macro in the ‘Normal.dotm’ template.)Go to File/Options/Addins. Select ‘Templates’ from the ‘Manage’ drop-down and click the ‘Go’ button.

Click the ‘Add…’ button and browse to find your custom template. It will appear on the list with a check box checked.

The important line of code is this (replace ‘…file path…’with the path name of your template.)AddIns.Add FileName:=”… file path … My Custom Macros.dotm”, Install:=TrueTo create the ‘UninstallCustomTemplate’ start the Macro Recorder again and follow the same steps as above. When you get to the templates dialog box, simply uncheck the box for ‘My Custom Macros.dotm.”