Load or unload a template or add in program

Templates can store styles, AutoText entries, AutoCorrect entries, macros, toolbars, custom menu settings, and shortcut keys. Loading a template makes it available as a global template that you can use while you work with documents based on any other template.

Add-ins are supplemental programs that you can install to extend the capabilities of Microsoft Office Word by adding custom commands and specialized features. An example of an add-in program might be a program designed and distributed by your company's IT department to highlight company names in any document you open on your computer.

What do you want to do?

• Load templates or add-ins

• Unload templates or add-ins

• Make a template or add-in available whenever you start Word

Load templates or add-ins

When you load a template or add-in, it remains loaded for the current Word session only. If you quit and then restart Word, the template or add-in is not automatically reloaded.

1. In Word 2010, 2013, or 2016, select File > Options > Add-Ins.

   In Word 2007, click the Microsoft Office Button , and then select Word Options > Add-ins.

2. In the Manage list, select Word Add-ins, and then click Go.

3. Click the Templates tab.

4. Under Global templates and add-ins, select the check box next to the template or add-in that you want to load.

   If the template or add-in you want does not appear in the box, click Add, switch to the folder that contains the template or add-in you want, click it, and then click OK.

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Unload templates or add-ins

To conserve memory and increase the speed of Word, it's a good idea to unload templates and add-in programs you don't often use. When you unload a template or add-in that's located in your Startup folder, Word unloads the template for the current Word session but automatically reloads it the next time you start Word. When you unload a template or add-in located in any other folder, it is unavailable until you reload it. To delete a template or add-in from Word, you must remove the template or add-in from the Templates and Add-ins dialog box.

1. In Word 2010, 2013, or 2016, select File > Options > Add-Ins.

   In Word 2007, click the Microsoft Office Button , and then select Word Options > Add-ins.

2. In the Manage list, select Word Add-ins, and then click Go.

3. Click the Templates tab.

4. Do one of the following:

   • To unload a template or add-in but leave it under Global templates and add-ins, clear the check box next to the name of the item.

   • To unload a template or add-in and remove it from the box under Global templates and add-ins, click the item in the box, and then click Remove.

Note the following about unloading templates or add-ins:

• The Remove button is unavailable when the template you select is located in your Startup folder.

• When you unload a template or add-in, you do not remove it from your computer—you only make it unavailable. The location where you've stored the template or add-in determines whether it's loaded when you start Word.

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Make a template or add-in available whenever you start Word

To have a template or add-in available whenever you start Word, store the add-in or template in the Startup folder. To find the current location of the startup folder:

1. In Word 2010, 2013, or 2016, select File > Options > Advanced.

   In Word 2007, click the Microsoft Office Button , and then select Word Options > Advanced.

2. Scroll down to General, and then click File Locations.

3. Note the location listed for Startup. Save to this location the template or add-in that you want available when you start Word.

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