In MS Word 2003, is there a way to create a template so that it can not be overwritten when used.?

Question

I would like to create a template that can not be overwritten when saved. For example, if I created a fax template and someone uses it, they can not accidentally overwrite the file.

Answer 1

Yes, you can do this very easily. After you create the template simply set share conditions which allow only the type of use you wish others to have. Here is a link to a Microsoft knowlege base article on how to set file and folder permissions. Now, this is only possible if you are not using Simple File Sharing in XP. You can only do this in Vista Ultimate too. I am not running Ultimate yet, so don't have that information, but you can pull it off of Office Online.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/security/permissions.mspx#top

That link will get you started on the over all permissions which affect all files and folders on a system not using Simple File Sharing. It also contains links to related resources, such as how to turn off Simple File Sharing and allow the full power of NTFS File system to be utillzed.

You can also access Office Online where you can find free tutorials and articles on how to do many different tasks within Word. However, overall sharing is controlled by the NTFS File system.

Good luck and have a great day!

Answer 2

Generally speaking, a template IS effectively read-only if opened correctly. When you click on File->New and select a template, a copy of the template is created and given a new name of its own. Even a File->Save won't save back onto the template. Someone would have to jump through some obscure hoops to do that.

Unless the template was opened with a right-click from Windows Explorer/My Computer and a selection of Edit instead of the default New was made. Generally, this is NOT the way templates should be opened. The first method is the preferred way.

For a Fax template, you could take a look at Word form fields (NOT Microsoft Office forms) and protecting non-form field text -- but that's a lot of work.