Reference number: CH000940

What is the normal.dot file?

Question:

What is the normal.dot file?

Answer:

The normal.dot file is the default Microsoft Word template. This file is used to store the default settings such as font, font size, content of a file, etc. that is used with each of the Microsoft Word file you open. This can be useful if you find yourself having to adjust the font type, font size, or other setting each time you open Microsoft Word.

Where is the normal.dot file located?

This all depends on your version of Microsoft Word or office and how you've installed it. However, this file is always located in the template directory. A common location for where the template directory is shown below.

C:\Documents and settings\<user name>\Application Data\Microsoft\Templates

How do I modify the normal.dot file?

Open the normal.dot file and change the settings you wish to adjust. For example, if you want the default font size to be 14 each time you open Microsoft Word open the normal.dot file change the font size to 14 and save the document.

I mistakenly overwrote the normal.dot file.

If you've saved another file over the normal.dot, each time you open Microsoft Word that document will be opened. For example, if you've saved a document with "test" in the contents of the file, each time you open a new Microsoft Word document "test" will be shown.

To correct this issue simply delete the contents of the normal.dot file and save the file. Alternatively you can follow the steps listed in the below normal.dot file is corrupted steps.

Is this file a virus?

Like any file on the computer this file can become infected by a virus and there have been viruses in the past that target and infect this file. If you believe your computer is infected with a virus or other malware see document CH000931 for additional information about removing it.

The normal.dot file is corrupted.

It is possible for this file to become corrupted because of improper user or other program modification. If you believe this file is corrupted you can follow the below steps.

1. Click Start and click Search, and select Files or folders.
2. In the find window select All files and folders, if prompted.
3. In the File name type: normal.dot and press enter.
4. Once the file has been located right-click the file and click Rename.
5. Rename the file to normal.old and press Enter.

Note: If the Search is not finding any files it's likely Windows is not searching for hidden files. In the Search Window click the More Advanced Options and make sure there is a check in the Search hidden files and folders box.