Use Word 2007's options to change your default document folder

by Mary Ann Richardson | May 01, 2007 7:00:00 AM

Tags: Word processors, Microsoft Office, Mary Ann Richardson, Microsoft Word, Click OK, Microsoft Office Suite Word Tips Newsletter

Takeaway: Each time you save a Word 2007 file, it winds up in the My Documents folder. Here's how to to change your default document folder for Word 2007 files.

In Windows, all your Word documents save to the My Documents folder by default. However, your organization may require that you save your documents to a folder on the network server. Rather than navigating to the network server every time you need to save a file, change the default so your Word 2007 files automatically save to the correct folder. Follow these steps:

1. Click the Office button.
2. Click the Word Options button.
3. Click Save.
4. Under Save Documents, click the Browse button next to the Default File Location text box.
5. Navigate to and click the folder you want to be your default.
6. Click OK twice.

If you save a new document in Word 2007, it will save in Word 2007 format. If you know you will be sharing your document with users of older versions, such as Word 2002 or Word 2003, you may want to set the default to the older format to ensure that those users will be able to read your newly-created documents. Follow these steps:

1. Click the Office button.
2. Click the Word Options button.
3. Click Save.
4. Under Save Documents, click the drop-down arrow in the Save Files In This Format Box and select Word 97-2003 Document (*.doc).
5. Click OK.

By default, all new files will save in a format that users of earlier Word releases can read.

Miss a tip?

Check out the Microsoft Word archive, and catch up on our most recent Word tips.

Help users increase productivity by automatically signing up for TechRepublic's free Microsoft Office Suite newsletter, featuring Word, Excel, and Access tips, delivered each Wednesday.

Print/View all Posts Comments on this article

problem with 'locked' word 2007c_shorte@...  | 09/27/07