Every new document you create in Word is based on a hidden template called Normal.dotm. This template controls the default font, margins, line spacing, styles, and even keyboard shortcuts. If you find yourself changing the font to Calibri 11 pt or adjusting margins every time you start a new document, modifying Normal.dotm saves that effort permanently. This article explains exactly where Normal.dotm is stored, how to open and edit it safely, and what settings you can and cannot change.
Key Takeaways: How to Modify Normal.dotm in Word
- File > Open > Browse to %userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates: The only reliable way to locate Normal.dotm on Windows 10 and Windows 11.
- Modify styles, fonts, margins, and default paragraph formatting: Changes you make inside Normal.dotm become the defaults for all new blank documents.
- File > Save As > Word Template (.dotm): Always save the file as a macro-enabled template to preserve the Normal.dotm format and any macros you add.
What Normal.dotm Controls in Word
Normal.dotm is the global template that Word loads every time you start the application. It stores the default styles, AutoText entries, macros, and keyboard customizations. When you press Ctrl+N or choose File > New > Blank Document, Word creates a copy of Normal.dotm. That copy becomes your new document.
The template file uses the .dotm extension, which means it can contain macros. Macros are small programs written in VBA that automate repetitive tasks. If you do not need macros, you can still use Normal.dotm without them. The file is saved in a protected system folder, so you must have administrator rights or at least read/write access to your own user profile.
Normal.dotm is not the same as Normal.dotx. Normal.dotx is a template without macro support. If you accidentally save as .dotx, your macros will be stripped and the file will not function as the default template. Word looks specifically for Normal.dotm in the Templates folder.
How to Locate and Open Normal.dotm
Word hides Normal.dotm by default. You cannot find it through File > Open > Recent or by searching the Start menu. You must navigate to the correct folder manually.
- Open Word and go to File > Open > Browse
You can also press Ctrl+O to open the Open dialog. Do not use the Recent list. - Paste the folder path into the address bar
Type or paste%userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templatesinto the address bar of the Open dialog and press Enter. This works on both Windows 10 and Windows 11. - Change the file type filter to All Files
In the lower-right corner of the Open dialog, change the dropdown from All Word Documents to All Files. Normal.dotm may not appear otherwise. - Select Normal.dotm and click Open
The file name is exactly Normal.dotm. If you see Normal.dotx or Normal.dot, you have the wrong file. Open the .dotm version.
After opening, Word displays the template as a regular document window. The title bar shows Normal.dotm. You can now make changes to any style, font, margin, or layout setting.
Modifying Fonts, Margins, and Default Styles
The most common reason to edit Normal.dotm is to change the default font or body text style. Word uses the Normal style for all paragraph text in a new document. Changing the Normal style inside the template changes it for every future document.
- Open the Styles pane by pressing Alt+Ctrl+Shift+S
The Styles pane appears on the right side of the window. Locate the Normal style in the list. - Right-click Normal and select Modify
The Modify Style dialog opens. Here you can change the font name, font size, color, paragraph spacing, indentation, and more. - Select the radio button for New documents based on this template
At the bottom of the Modify Style dialog, you see two options: Only in this document and New documents based on this template. Choose the second option. This ensures your change applies to all future documents created from Normal.dotm. - Change the font to your preferred typeface and size
For example, set the font to Aptos 12 pt or Times New Roman 12 pt. Click OK to close the dialog. - Adjust page margins by going to Layout > Margins > Custom Margins
Set the top, bottom, left, and right margins to your desired values. Click OK. - Save the template by pressing Ctrl+S or File > Save
Word saves the changes directly into Normal.dotm. Close the template window.
Test your changes by pressing Ctrl+N to create a new blank document. The new font, margins, and Normal style should appear immediately.
Adding Macros and Quick Parts to Normal.dotm
Normal.dotm supports macros and building blocks like AutoText and Quick Parts. Macros stored in Normal.dotm are available in every document. Quick Parts stored in Normal.dotm appear in the Quick Part Gallery for all documents.
- Open Normal.dotm as described in the previous section
You must open the template directly. Double-clicking Normal.dotm in File Explorer creates a new document based on the template, not the template itself. - Record a macro by going to View > Macros > Record Macro
In the Record Macro dialog, set the Store macro in dropdown to Normal.dotm. Give the macro a name and click OK. Perform the actions you want to automate, then click Stop Recording. - Save the template after recording
Press Ctrl+S. If you close without saving, the macro is lost. - Create a Quick Part by selecting text or an object and going to Insert > Quick Parts > Save Selection to Quick Part Gallery
In the Create New Building Block dialog, set the Save in dropdown to Normal.dotm. Give it a name and click OK. Save the template.
Macros and Quick Parts saved to Normal.dotm appear in every new document. They also appear in existing documents when you open them, as long as the template is loaded.
Common Mistakes When Editing Normal.dotm
I Saved the Template as a .docx or .dotx File
If you save Normal.dotm as a .docx or .dotx file, Word will not load it as the default template. The file must remain as Normal.dotm with the .dotm extension. To fix this, open the file again, press F12 to open Save As, choose Word Macro-Enabled Template (.dotm) from the Save as type list, and overwrite the existing Normal.dotm.
Word Does Not Show My Changes After Saving
Word caches the Normal.dotm template. If you do not see your changes, close all Word windows completely, then reopen Word and press Ctrl+N. If that does not work, the template may be corrupted. Rename Normal.dotm to Normal.old and restart Word. Word creates a fresh Normal.dotm with default settings. Then repeat the modification steps.
I Cannot Find Normal.dotm in the Templates Folder
The folder is hidden by default. In File Explorer, enable viewing of hidden items by clicking View > Show > Hidden items. Alternatively, use the exact path %userprofile%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates in the Open dialog address bar. If the folder is empty, Word has not created a Normal.dotm yet. Open Word, make any change to a blank document, save and close, then check the folder again.
My Macros Are Missing After Editing Normal.dotm
Macros are stored in the template file. If you open Normal.dotm from a different user profile or a network location, the macros from your original profile will not be there. Always edit the Normal.dotm located in your own user profile folder. Also, ensure that macro security settings in File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Macro Settings allow all macros or at least digitally signed macros.
| Setting | Before Modification | After Modification |
|---|---|---|
| Default font | Calibri 11 pt | Aptos 12 pt |
| Default margins | 1 inch all sides | 0.75 inch all sides |
| Normal style line spacing | Multiple 1.08 | Single spacing |
| Macro storage | Not available | Available in all documents |
| AutoText entries | Built-in only | Custom entries added |
You can now open Normal.dotm directly, change any default setting, and save it without losing your work. Start by changing the Normal style font to your most-used typeface. If you frequently insert the same text block, create a Quick Part and store it in Normal.dotm. For advanced users, recording a macro that formats a table or inserts a header can save hours of repetitive work.