Forum Discussion

KenK1110's avatar
KenK1110
Copper Contributor
Jun 13, 2026

Word Templates Opening Multiple Times

Recently upgraded some templates from Word 2010 and 2003 (yeah, I know) to 2016 and 365 with, frankly, disappointing results. :o/   Since 2003 we've been using a pair of macros to merge some smalle...
Kidd_Ip's avatar
Kidd_Ip
MVP
Jun 15, 2026

In modern Word, templates behave differently than in old say 2003,2010: documents created with Documents.Add no longer retain the template link unless the full path is specified, and network locations often trigger “read-only” or duplicate template loads due to new security and trust center policies, support.microsoft.com/en-us/word/create-a-template

  • Doug_Robbins_Word_MVP's avatar
    Doug_Robbins_Word_MVP
    MVP
    Jun 16, 2026

    Kidd_lp

    I am not sure what you mean by "modern Word", but in Word in Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise when used on the desktop, there has been absolutely no change in the way that templates behave when using a command such as:

    Documents.Add "000-Merge Tools Invoice.dotm"

    For more information, see my response to the OP.

     

    • KenK1110's avatar
      KenK1110
      Copper Contributor
      Jun 24, 2026

      Sorry, just getting back to this. Thanks for responding guys.

       

      Things are ABSOLUTELY different. Kidd_Ip may have hit the nail on the head regarding network locations. And he's absolutely right with the template not staying attached unless the full path is used, which then causes the read-only message, at least on a network drive. Which is REDICULOUS!

       

      I've not yet tried everything I'm having trouble with working only locally. Which, honestly, should NOT be a requirement and really isn't an option, I don't want to have to continually distribute templates. The Workgroup templates folder (or whatever it's called) in the options should be treated as safe a location as my local drive. IT'S MY INTERNAL NETWORK, DAMMIT, LET ME USE IT!!!

       

      Also, if anyone has insight into the speed at which some macros run I'd appreciate help there to. I have one macro that finishes in 11 seconds in 2010, but takes almost an minute and half in 365. I've not yet tried to Google things to see if there are options in 365 that need turning off when macros run. When I have time to do so I'll post back if I find anything.

       

      Thanks for listening to me wine and thanks again for responding.

       

      Ken

      • Charles_Kenyon's avatar
        Charles_Kenyon
        Bronze Contributor
        Jun 25, 2026

        I've not yet tried everything I'm having trouble with working only locally. Which, honestly, should NOT be a requirement and really isn't an option, I don't want to have to continually distribute templates.

        If you must keep your macros stored in templates on a Network location, make sure you check the option to allow Trusted Locations on the Network.