Location of normal.dot or normal.dotm file
All sorts of MS Word and/or Wordfast Classic troubles may be caused by corruption of the the MS Word global template. Its file name is normal.dotm in Word 2007 and newer or normal.dot in Word 2003 and older.
Location in Windows
It is usually located in Microsoft's Templates folder:
- The typical path in Windows 7 and Windows Vista:
- C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates
- The typical path in Windows XP and Windows 2000:
- C:\Documents and Settings\[username]\Application Data\Microsoft\Templates
AppData and Application Data are hidden folders. Hidden folders are not visible in Windows by default. If you don't see these folders and want to make them visible, see the related article How to make hidden folders visible in Windows.
Location in Mac OS
By default, your Normal template is located here:
- Word 2008:
- [user account]/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/Office/User Templates/
- Word 2004:
- [user account]/Documents/Microsoft User Data/
Note that these folders may be hidden on your Mac, so you cannot see them by default in Finder. To display hidden folders in Finder, follow these instructions.
Alternatively, you can search for the Normal template in Finder. If you do so, make sure to include system files in your search.
Fixing Normal.dot(m)
normal.dot(m) can only be deleted, moved, or renamed when Word is closed. If you remove the file from its location, Word will generate a new, fresh copy of it. This can solve many problems in Word and/or Wordfast Classic.
However, note that some of your custom Word settings (including auto-correct entries) may be stored in the global template, so when it's replaced with a new, fresh one, such settings will be lost or reset to default values. It is therefore recommended not to delete normal.dot(m) for good; if you want to remove it, we recommend moving it to a backup folder or renaming it (say, to normal.old).
For more details about normal.dot(m), refer to the Wordfast Classic user manual or search the web.
