Templates are far more than just convenient — In fact, they can be crucial. Check out our simple guide on how to use document templates in Microsoft Word.

Although Office includes many templates you can choose from, if you need a template tailored to your needs, Microsoft Word includes an option to save a document as a template using the ".dotx" format.

Document-specific template. To start a new Word document based on a specific template rather than the blank template (for example, for guidance documents), open Word, go to the File tab, choose 'New' ...

Finally, save the file as a template: In Word 2003, click File > Save As, give the template a name such as "Two-column layout," choose a location for the file (more on this below), select Document ...

With interactive documents, you can choose from a range of predefined options for data, instead of typing the data from scratch each time. If you write lots of letters to the same few ...

Microsoft Word provides templates for invoice sheets that you customize to suit your business needs. Office features more than 100 online invoice templates that copy to a Word document.

Word doesn't have the capability to push out templates onto existing, already-saved documents. For letterhead, it may be helpful to open the old Word document and copy the message or letter.