The term template, when used in the context of

word processing A word is a basic element of language that carries an objective or practical meaning, can be used on its own, and is uninterruptible. Despite the fact that language speakers often have an intuitive grasp of what a word is, there is no conse ...

software Software is a set of computer programs and associated documentation and data. This is in contrast to hardware, from which the system is built and which actually performs the work. At the lowest programming level, executable code consists ...

, refers to a sample

document A document is a written, drawn, presented, or memorialized representation of thought, often the manifestation of non-fictional, as well as fictional, content. The word originates from the Latin ''Documentum'', which denotes a "teaching" or ...

that has already some details in place; those can (that is added/completed, removed or changed, differently from a fill-in-the-blank of the approach as in a

form Form is the shape, visual appearance, or configuration of an object. In a wider sense, the form is the way something happens. Form also refers to: *Form (document), a document (printed or electronic) with spaces in which to write or enter data ...

) either by hand or through an automated iterative process, such as with a software assistant. Once the template is completed, the user can edit, save and manage the result as an ordinary word processing document. Word processing templates enable the ability to bypass the initial setup and configuration time necessary to create standardized documents such as a resume. They also enable the automatic configuration of the

user interface In the industrial design field of human–computer interaction, a user interface (UI) is the space where interactions between humans and machines occur. The goal of this interaction is to allow effective operation and control of the machine f ...

of the word processing software, with features such as

autocompletion Autocomplete, or word completion, is a feature in which an application predicts the rest of a word a user is typing. In Android and iOS smartphones, this is called predictive text. In graphical user interfaces, users can typically press the tab ...

toolbar The toolbar, also called a bar or standard toolbar (originally known as ribbon) is a graphical control element on which on-screen icons can be used. A toolbar often allows for quick access to functions that are commonly used in the program. Some ...

thesaurus A thesaurus (plural ''thesauri'' or ''thesauruses'') or synonym dictionary is a reference work for finding synonyms and sometimes antonyms of words. They are often used by writers to help find the best word to express an idea: Synonym diction ...

, and

spelling Spelling is a set of conventions that regulate the way of using graphemes (writing system) to represent a language in its written form. In other words, spelling is the rendering of speech sound (phoneme) into writing (grapheme). Spelling is one ...

options. Word processing templates are ordinarily included as a regular feature in most word processing software. In addition, users of such software often have the option to create and save their own templates, to acquire them from the original vendor of the software, or from third parties.

Overview

Word processing templates provide functionality for: * "Fill-in-the-blank" completion of routinely used document classes or (a stencil/master copy) *

Mail merge Mail merge consists of combining mail and letters and pre-addressed envelopes or mailing labels for mass mailings from a form letter. This feature is usually employed in a word processing document which contains fixed text (which is the same in e ...

to produce personalized mailings * Time-saving document-fragment creation (for items such as headers footers and boilerplate) * Time-saving GUI-configuration (for configuring the desktop GUI with precisely the desired standard look and feel, usually tailored to a given profession or industry) * Time-saving user standardization (for ensuring a specific user or work group has access to documents that are unique to the user's role in the organization) * Quick means of preparation of meeting data in presentable way.

Uses

Word processing templates have the standard "fill-in-the-blank" features similar to other kinds of templates in computer software. They also have features that specifically leverage the functionality of the word processor user interface. Specific examples include ability to: * Copy macros, styles, and auto completion entries from one template (or document) to another; * Reuse a

page header In typography and word processing, a page header (or simply header) is text that is separated from the body text and appears at the top of a printed page. Word-processing programs usually allow for the configuration of page headers, which are ...

watermark A watermark is an identifying image or pattern in paper that appears as various shades of lightness/darkness when viewed by transmitted light (or when viewed by reflected light, atop a dark background), caused by thickness or density variations ...

, structure, and many forms of repeated document contents; * Create and remove entries (from the New > File menu) for fast access to frequently used templates; * Save automation scripts in languages such as

Visual Basic for Applications Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) is an implementation of Microsoft's event-driven programming language Visual Basic 6.0 built into most desktop Microsoft Office applications. Although based on pre-.NET Visual Basic, which is no longer supported ...

; * Save and configure the toolbar, menus, or keyboard shortcuts to work across editing sessions, or on a user-by-user basis; * Configure up and use work group templates, or a default template applied automatically whenever a new document is created; * Quickly write résumés and Curricula Vitae; * Easily write

reports A report is a document that presents information in an organized format for a specific audience and purpose. Although summaries of reports may be delivered orally, complete reports are almost always in the form of written documents. Usage In ...

for work or study; * Create single or multiple sheet templates such as list templates, agenda templates and business templates; * Quickly recreate already used files in terms of amendments and changes; Additionally, support may exist for other native features unique to the word processing application.{{cite web, url= https://www.officeresumes.com/resumes/4-reasons-why-you-should-use-resume-templates/, title= Office Resume Templates Wednesday, 5 September 2018

Specific commands and file formats

Word processing document creation may ordinarily (although not necessarily) begin with selecting a template with a menu command such as: File > New > Templates (and select the template you wish to use), where the user is given the option of selecting a pre-existing template. Similar commands are provided for creating and editing templates. Template files may restrict users from saving changes with the original file name, such as with the case of

Microsoft Office Microsoft Office, or simply Office, is the former name of a family of client software, server software, and services developed by Microsoft. It was first announced by Bill Gates on August 1, 1988, at COMDEX in Las Vegas. Initially a marketin ...

( .dot)

filename extensions A filename extension, file name extension or file extension is a suffix to the name of a computer file (e.g., .txt, .docx, .md). The extension indicates a characteristic of the file contents or its intended use. A filename extension is typically ...

. In those cases, users are prompted to save the file with a new name as if it were a new file.

References

External links

Example template: Collaborative Protocol for Translations
Word processors

Overview

Uses

Specific commands and file formats

See also

Related comparisons

References

External links