How do I set full justification as the default in MS Word? 1

[weigoldk]

How do I set Word 2000 and 2003 to use Full Justification as the default alignment.

The Paragraph dialog box does not have the "Default..." button like the Font dialog box does.

 

[BlueHorizon]

Hi,
It can be done but it takes several steps.
1. Open a new document and highlight the paragraph mark (you can view it by enabling the Show/Hide icon).
2. Select the Justified icon.
3. File/Save As/Document template
4. Name the document Normal1
5. Close Word.
6. Open Windows Explorer and navigate to the Templates folder: C:\Documents and Settings\[username]\Application Data\Microsoft\Templates
7. Delete the document named Normal.
8. Rename Normal1 to Normal.
9. Reopen Word and it should have your justified setting as the default.

HTH,


Best,
Blue Horizon

http://www.bluehorizontraining.com

 

[fumei]

While it is true this can be done this way, you could also just OPEN normal.dot and change it. Rather than make a new file, delete the old one, and rename the new one.

However, I am curious as to what is the business case for this. Generally speaking, this kind of default format is poor planning. You can achieve any format you wish to create using styles, and this is definitely the better way to go. Using styles is what Word is designed to do.

A proper template with a style - say, BasicText - set as full justification, and have other styles based on that, that is what I would recommend.

Gerry
My paintings and sculpture

 

[TonyJollans]

You don't even need to open Normal ....

Of course using proper templates is correct but it doesn't really answer the question. Indeed to answer it fully is quite involved. However, regardless of template, the default style is 'Normal' so to set the default justification requires setting it in the Normal style in your template.

The Default...button in the Format > Font dialog is a sort of shortcut for Fonts. The way to set defaults in templates is, from any document based on the template, to Format > Style > Modify, make your changes (to justification or anything else) to whatever style you want to change, check "Add to template" and click OK.

Enjoy,
Tony

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[fumei]

I think I must have taken a stupid pill.

Gerry
My paintings and sculpture

 

[TonyJollans]

LOL! I have my own supply of those!

Enjoy,
Tony

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We want to help you; help us to do it by reading this: Before you ask a question.

Professional Office Developers Association

 

[weigoldk]

Thanks to everyone for participating. This is fun.

fumei--LOL--business case...poor planning...you are definately correct. However, I work in an understaffed IT department and this solution is for a very "non technical" user who likes the old school look of right justification. There's much more to the story, but let's just say I was looking for an efficient and quick fix.

Tony, thanks for providing just that.

Have a great week everyone.

 

[fumei]

Oh nothing in my comment was regarding the use of justification. There is are plenty of business cases fro having justified text. That is not the issue.

Ther are also plenty of reasons for having justified text as the default. My issue was with how it is being done.

Gerry
My paintings and sculpture