You can also make changes to a template and save it as your own. For example, let’s say that you use the sample report (shown above) for all your reports. Rather than having to replace the company information every time you open it, you can replace it once and then use that template.

To start the process, you must open the template dialog from Word. So, click the File menu and click New. Then, in the New Document task pane, click the On My Computer link.

Now, click the template you want to modify. Just under the preview section, select Create New Template. Then, click OK.

The template will open up the same as before, but you will see its status as a template in the title bar:

Now, edit the document to make your changes. Remember to keep the changes limited to ones that will be permanent, such as your company’s name and address. Once you’re ready to save the document, click the File menu and click Save As.

You’ll notice that Word has already set the location and type of your file for templates. You can change the file name (as we have in the sample), but it is not recommended that you change the location. And if you change the file type, your document will no longer be a template.

So, once you have the Save As window open, change the File Name if you want, and then click Save. The next time you open the template dialog box, your template will appear under the General tab:

You can then open the template as a document to create a report (or whatever other document type you have created), or you can open it as a template to make more changes to it.