This process resets your presets for all documents created in Word.
Sometimes Microsoft Word may not work properly due to user modifications or changes made by other programs. In these cases, the easiest way to restore Word functionality is to reset it to the factory default settings. If you want to revert to the default document created by Word when you first installed the program, you need to restore the default normal template.
How to find the Normal.dotm template on your Mac
The location and name of folders on Mac can vary a bit between language versions and editions, but the template is called "Normal.dotm". Below is a help to find the file on your Mac.
- First, read this article for how to search for hidden and system files on your Mac: Search system files on your Mac
Below is the path to the Normal.dotm template on our Mac in April 2024.
Macintosh HD > Users > "user name" > Library > Group Containers > UBF8T346G9.0ffice > User Content > Templates
Reset the Normal template
If Normal.dotm is renamed, damaged, or moved, Word automatically creates a new version (which uses the original default settings) the next time you start Word. The new version will not include any customizations you made to the version you renamed or moved.
The Normal.dotm is built into Word's code, so if Word doesn't find the file, it will recreate it from scratch with default settings. You don't need to delete it; you can just move or rename it (see example below).
Make changes to the Normal template
- Open the Normal template (Normal.dotm).
- You can make any changes to the fonts, margins, spacing, and other settings. You can use the same commands and features to change a document, but remember that any changes you make to Normal.dotm will be applied to documents that you create in the future.
- When you have finished, save the Normal file.