Change the Normal.dotm template. Any changes that you make to Normal.dotm will be applied to documents that you create in the future. Click the Microsoft Office Button, and then click Open. Do one of the following: In Windows Vista: Click Templates, and then double-click the Normal.dotm file to open it.In Microsoft Windows XP or Microsoft Windows Server 2003: Click Templates next to File name. If no templates are listed in the Open dialog box, click the arrow next to the Files of type box, and then click All Word Templates.To be certain that you're working in the default template, check to see that Normal.dotm appears in the Word title bar.ny changes that you make to Normal.dotm will be applied to documents that you create in the future. Click the Microsoft Office Button, and then click Open. Do one of the following: In Windows Vista: Click Templates, and then double-click the Normal.dotm file to open it.