My new documents are not blank

Cause: The Normal template, on which new documents are based, contains unwanted content.

Solution:    Delete the Normal template so that Word can automatically recreate a new Normal template.

1. Quit Word.

2. In the Finder, open /Users/ username/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/Office/User Templates, and then drag Normal.dotm to the Trash.

   The next time that you open Word, a new Normal template is created automatically. New documents that are based on this template are blank.

   Note: If you are using Mac OS X 7 (Lion), the Library folder is hidden by default. To show the Library folder, in the Finder, click the Go menu, and then hold down OPTION .

   Note: The formatting used in new documents is based on settings that are defined in a template. Unless you specify a different template, the settings that are used for new documents are based on the Normal template.

Solution:    Modify the Normal template to delete unwanted content but preserve other content or settings.

1. On the File menu, click Open, and then double-click /Users/ username/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/Office/User Templates/Normal.dotm.

   Tip: Make sure that the document that you are editing is Normal.dotm, not an untitled document.

2. Select any content that you want to remove, and then press DELETE .

3. Click Save.

4. Close the template.

   Note: The formatting used in new documents is based on settings that are defined in a template. Unless you specify a different template, the settings that are used for new documents are based on the Normal template.

See also

Change the default settings for new documents

Templates are not loading automatically

Start with a template to create a new document