If you frequently create documents that contain the same specialized formatting, but not the same text, automate the process and save yourself a considerable amount of time by creating a template in Word. Examples include invoices, packing slips, and form letters.
Templates.office.com - This is Microsoft's gallery of templates for Word. You can find even more by opening Word and going to File > New and searching. Dotxes.com - A brand new website (as of March 2014) dedicated to providing Word Templates. But with the premium MS Word Templates, the matter gets easily resolved as there. Microsoft Word; Apple Pages; Adobe Illustrator; Adobe In Design; Adobe.
Instructions in this article apply to Word 2019, 2016, 2013, 2007, 2003; and Word for Office 365.
What Is a Template?
A Microsoft Word template is a Word document that includes specific formatting, such as boilerplate text, macros, and headers and footers, as well as custom dictionaries, toolbars, and AutoText entries. These elements are there every time you open the template, and cannot be changed even when you change the document text. You can open the template as many times as you like.
Planning a Word Template
Before you create your Word template, create a list of features you want to include in it. The time you spend planning will save you time and hassle later.
Here are some suggestions for what to include:
- Text that is always included in the document.
- Formatting like columns, margins, tab stops, endnotes, and footnotes.
- Macros to automate tasks.
- A date field that updates automatically each time the template is opened.
- Address and contact information.
- Fields or AutoText for information that changes such as the page number, document title, or file path in headers and footers.
- Placeholder text with specific formatting such as typeface size. Consider using descriptive words such as TITLE or INTRO as placeholders.
Once you have an outline of all your template elements, create the prototype in a blank Word document. Include the elements you listed, and make appropriate adjustments.
Save Your New Template
After you finish creating the prototype for your template, save the document as a template.
For Word 2019, 2016, 2013, and 2010
To save a Word document as a Word template:
- Go to File.
- Select Save As.
- In the Save As dialog box, in the File name text box, type a descriptive template filename.
- Select the Save as type dropdown arrow and choose Word Template.
- The file path changes to the default template location. Templates in this folder appear in the Templates dialog box when you create a new document from a template. However, you can choose another folder if you want to.
- Select Save.
For Word 2007
To save a Word document as a Word template:
- Select the Microsoft Office button.
- Choose Save As > Word Template.
- In the Save As dialog box, to save the template in the default template folder, under Favorite Links select Templates. This is the recommended folder because templates in this folder appear in the Templates dialog box when you create a new document based on a template. However, you can navigate to another folder if you want to.
- In the File name text box, type a descriptive name for the template.
- Select Save.
For Word 2003
To save a Word document as a Word template:
- Select File > Save As.
- In the Save As dialog box, in the File name text box, type a recognizable name for the template.
- Select the Save as type dropdown arrow and choose Document Template.
- The file path changes to the default template location. This is the recommended folder because the templates in this folder appear in the Templates dialog box when you create a new document based on a template. However, you can navigate to another folder if you want to.
- Select Save.
Your document is now saved as a template with the file extension .dot or .dotx and can be used to generate new documents based on it.
If you have a proposal for a new business idea, you want to package it in a way that is impressive and sells. Luckily, you don't need fancy design software to create that proposal. In fact, all you need is Microsoft Word! Check out these 20 creative business proposal templates that designers have made available on Creative Market. Just add in items like your unique logo and information about your company, and you'll be sure to impress investors, VCs, potential partners, and other recipients. You can find more Microsoft Word-ready proposal templates here.
1. Project Proposal Template 006
This proposal template is easy to use and straightforward for someone looking for a template that covers the basics. It contains sections for information like Objectives, Services, Projects, Team, Case Study, Project Overview, Terms & Conditions, FAQ, and more.
2. Quick Proposal 007 - The Essentials
This template for a business proposal is simple and minimalistic. It's great for communicating just the most important info, like a brief, skills, team, and timeline.
3. Project Proposal - Huntsville
This 36-page document can be edited in InDesign and MS Word. It is ready to print and uses a document grid and baseline grid.
4. Proposal
Proposal by Sabin is a template that is designed to look professional and persuasive. It's a great choice for project proposals. While the photos in the preview of the template aren't provided, the designer includes links to easily access those photos.
5. Project Proposal Template 008
This is another 36-page proposal template, and it can be used to pitch a business or prove that you're the right person for a job. It includes 380 icons you can use with the template.
6. Proposal Template 005
This business proposal template is extensive, and it has many pages to include helpful information about your idea. Included in the template is space for team, services, portfolio, case studies, client feedback, latest clients, project brief, timeline, FAQs, and more.
7. Proposal Contract & Invoice
The proposal template also comes with a template for contracts and invoices. The 10-page business proposal template can be edited in Photoshop, Word, or InDesign.
8. Multipurpose Portfolio 001
ID Vision Studio created this sleek portfolio, which can also be used to showcase a business idea. The template itself is 40 pages long, and it is print-ready.
9. 50 Page Full Proposal A4 / US Letter
This is an extensive business proposal template, and it includes Word, Excel, Adobe Reader, and InDesign files. The template uses free fonts and includes space for things like a design package, update on project progress, fee estimates (linked with Excel for automatic calculations) and more.
10. Proposal Template 002
This proposal template from ID Vision Studio includes A4 and U.S. Letter sizes. The designer also includes a live flipbook of the template, so you can see it in action before you start designing.
11. Proposal
Sabin has created this template called Proposal, which is bright and minimalistic. The template contains 28 pages, and there is a PDF preview included.
12. Proposal Brochure
This classic proposal brochure template is compatible with Word and InDesign. It has a clean, well-laid-out design, and it is in CMYK color mode.
13. Company Profile
Make your company profile pop with this template from Kahuna Design. It uses bright geometric accents to make the document look good and to highlight your business's most important features.
14. Project Proposal Template 009
This is another great proposal template from ID Vision Studio, and it uses light blue design accents for a lighthearted, clean aesthetic. The document is 40 pages long and can be edited in InDesign and Word.
15. 60+ Pages Bundle Proposal Pack -30%
Get more bang for your buck when you buy this bundle of proposal templates from Mastergfx. This bundle has more than 60 pages of proposal content, so you can be sure you get across all of the info you need.
16. 31 Page Full Proposal A4 / US Letter
Mastergfx has also created this 31-page proposal template, where you can outline your deliverables, clients, case studies, services, experience, additional services, and more. You can check out a live preview of this proposal before you download it.
17. Proposal
This proposal is intended to propose a project, rather than a business. The template can be used to show the process you plan to use to implement the project, what resources you'll need and how you will manage it.
18. Business Proposal
This clean and modern business proposal template helps communicate info about your idea in a clear and straightforward way. The template is 22 pages long.
19. Ultimate Brand Design Proposal
This business proposal template was designed with designers in mind. It can help designers refine their brand and communicate it, thanks to a straightforward layout that's easy to use and understand. This template also comes with a bonus professional business card.
20. Proposal
Graphicsegg has created this proposal template, which includes automatic page numbering, one-click color changing, a slew of free fonts and an info file that helps explain fonts and images.
If there's a business proposal that you need to create and you want it to look professional, try using a template from Creative Market. You can also find a plethora of design assets to include in the proposal, including logos, graphics, handmade fonts and more.
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