Bloggers or Marketers Must Create and Use Microsoft Word Templates

A template is a Microsoft Word document that already has some formatting in place, such as fonts, logos, and line spacing, and can be used as a starting point for almost anything you want to create. Microsoft Word offers hundreds of free templates, including invoices, resumes, invitations, and form letters, among others.

Templates are available in all recent editions of Word, including Word 2003, Word 2007, Word 2010, Word 2013, Word 2016, and in Word Online from Office 365. You’ll learn how to work with all of these editions here. The images in this article are from Word 2016.

How to Open a Word Template

To use a template, you have to access a list of them and choose one to open first. How you do this differs depending on the version/edition of Microsoft Word you have.

To open a template in Word 2003:

• Click File, then click New.
• Click Templates.
• Click On My Computer.
• Click any category.
• Click the template to use and click OK.

To open a template in Word 2007:

• Click the Microsoft button in the top left corner and click Open.
• Click Trusted Templates.
• Select the desired template and click Open.

To open a template in Word 2010:

• Click File, then click New.
• Click Sample Templates, Recent Templates, My Templates, or Office.com Templates.
• Click the template to use and click Create.

To open a template in Word 2013:

• Click File, then click New.
• Click either Personal or Featured.
• Select the template to use.

To open a template in Word 2016:

• Click File, then click New.
• Click a template and click Create.
• To search for a template, type the description of the template in the Search window and press Enter on the keyboard. Then click the template and clickCreate.

To open a template in Word Online:

• Log in to Office 365.
• Click the Word icon.
• Select any template.

How to Use a Word Template

Once a template is open, it doesn’t matter what version of Word you use, you simply begin typing where you’d like to add information. You might have to type over existing placeholder text, or, there might be a blank area where you can insert text. You can also add pictures where picture holders exist.

Here’s a practice example:

• Open any template as outlined above.
• Click any placeholder text, such as Event Title or Event Subtitle.
• Type the desired replacement text.
• Repeat until your document is complete. 

How to Save a Word Template as a Document

When you save a document you’ve created from a template, you need to make sure you save it as a Word document with a new name. You don’t want to save over the template because you don’t want to change the template; you want to leave the template as-is.

To save the template you’ve worked on as a new document in:

Microsoft Word 2003, 2010, or 2013:

• Click File, and then click Save As.
• In the Save As dialog box, type a name for the file.
• In the Save As Type list, choose the type of file. For regular documents consider the .doc entry.
• Click Save.

Microsoft Word 2007:

• Click the Microsoft button, and then click Save As.
• In the Save As dialog box, type a name for the file.
• In the Save As Type list, choose the type of file. For regular documents consider the .doc entry.
• Click Save.

Microsoft Word 2016:

• Click File, and then click Save a Copy.
• Type a name for the file.
• Choose a document type; consider the .docx entry.
• Click Save.

Office 365 (Word Online):

• Click in the document name at the top of the page.
• Type a new name.

How to Create a Word Template

Save as a Word Template. Joli Ballew

To create your own Word template, create a new document and format it however you like. You might want to add business name and address, a logo, and other entries. You can also choose specific fonts, font sizes, and font colors.

Once you have the document the way you want it, to save it as a template:

Follow the instructions above to save the file.

Before you save the file, in the available Save As Type drop down list, select Template.

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Instantly Open, Edit, & Convert HTACCESS Files

A file with the HTACCESS file extension is an Apache Access Configuration file that stands for hypertext access. These are text files used to invoke an exception to the global settings that apply to the various directories of an Apache website.

Placing an HTACCESS file in one directory will override the global settings that previously flowed down to that directory and its subdirectories. For example, HTACCESS files can be created for redirecting a URL, preventing directory listing, banning specific IP addresses, preventing hotlinking, and more.

Another common use for an HTACCESS file is for pointing to an HTPASSWD file that stores credentials preventing visitors from accessing that particular directory of files.

Note: Unlike other types of files, HTACCESS files don't contain a file name; they look like this: .htaccess. That's right - no file name at all, just the extension.

How to Open an HTACCESS File

Since HTACCESS files apply to web servers that are running the Apache Web Server software, they don't take effect unless they're used within that context.

However, even a simple text editor is able to open or edit an HTACCESS file, like Windows Notepad or one from our Best Free Text Editors list. Another popular, though not free, HTACCESS editor is Adobe Dreamweaver.

How to Convert an HTACCESS File

Apache web server files with the HTACCESS file extension can be converted to Ngnix web server files using this online HTACCESS to nginx converter. You have to paste the contents of the HTACCESSS file into the text box to convert the code to one recognizable by Ngnix.

Similar to the nginx converter, HTACCESS files can be converted to Web.Config using codebreak's online .htaccess to Web.Config converter. This converter is useful if you want to convert the configuration file to one that works with an ASP.NET web application.

Sample HTACCESS File

Below is a sample .HTACCESS file. This particular HTACCESS file might be useful for a website that's currently under development and not yet ready for the public.

AuthType basic
AuthName "Ooops! Temporarily Under Construction..."
AuthUserFile /.htpasswd
AuthGroupFile /dev/null
Require valid-user # Password prompt for everyone else
Order Deny,Allow
Deny from all
Allow from 192.168.10.10 # The developer's IP address
Allow from w3.org
Allow from googlebot.com # Allows Google to crawl your pages
Satisfy Any # No password required if host/IP is allowed

Every line of this HTACCESS file has a particular purpose. The "/.htpasswd" entry, for example, indicates that this directory is hidden from public view unless a password is used. However, if the IP address shown above is used to access the page, then the password isn't required.

Advanced Reading on HTACCESS Files

You should be able to tell from the sample above that HTACCESS files can do a lot of different things. It's true that they're not the simplest files to work with.

You can read more about how to use an HTACCESS file for blocking IP addresses, preventing viewers from opening the HTACCESS file, blocking traffic to the directory, requiring SSL, disabling website downloaders/rippers, and more at JavaScript Kit, Apache, WordPress, and DigitalOcean.

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500 Internal Server Error: Fixing Error Problems on Your Own Site

The 500 Internal Server Error is a very general HTTP status code that means something has gone wrong on the website's server, but the server could not be more specific on what the exact problem is.

Are You the Webmaster? See Fixing 500 Internal Server Error Problems on Your Own Site towards the bottom of the page for some better advice if you're seeing the 500 Internal Server Error on one or more of your own pages.

How You Might See a 500 Error

The 500 Internal Server Error message might be seen in any number of ways because each website is allowed to customize the message.

Here are several common ways that you might see the HTTP 500 error:

500 Internal Server Error

HTTP 500 - Internal Server Error

Temporary Error (500)

Internal Server Error

HTTP 500 Internal Error

500 Error

HTTP Error 500

500. That's an error

Since a 500 Internal Server Error is generated by the website you're visiting, you could see one in any browser in any operating system, even on your smartphone.

Most of the time, a 500 Internal Server Error displays inside the internet browser window, just as web pages do.

Cause of HTTP 500 Errors

Like we mentioned above, Internal Server Error messages indicate that something, in general, is wrong.

Most of the time, "wrong" means an issue with the page or site's programming, but there's certainly a chance that the problem is on your end, something we'll investigate below.

Note: More specific information about the cause of a particular HTTP 500 error is often provided when it occurs on a server using Microsoft IIS software. Look for numbers after 500, as in HTTP Error 500.19 - Internal Server Error, which means Configuration data is invalid. See More Ways You Might See an Internal Server Errorbelow for the complete list.

How to Fix the 500 Internal Server Error

Like we alluded to above, the 500 Internal Server Error is a server-side error, meaning the problem probably isn't with your computer or internet connection but instead with the website's server.

While not probable, it is possible that there's something wrong on your end, in which case we'll look at some things you can try:

1. Reload the web page. You can do that by clicking the refresh/reload button, pressing F5 or Ctrl-R, or trying the URL again from the address bar.
   
   
   Even if the 500 Internal Server Error is a problem on the web server, the issue might just be temporary. Trying the page again will often be successful.
   
   
   Note: If the 500 Internal Server Error message appears during the checkout process at an online merchant, be aware that duplicate attempts to checkout may end up creating multiple orders - and multiple charges! Most merchants have automatic protections from these kinds of actions, but it's still something to keep in mind.
2. Clear your browser's cache. If there's a problem with the cached version of the page you're viewing, it could be causing HTTP 500 issues.
   
   
   Note: Internal Server Errors are not often caused by caching issues, but I have, on occasion, seen the error go away after clearing the cache. It's such an easy and harmless thing to try, so don't skip it.

1. Delete your browser's cookies. Some 500 Internal Server Error issues can be corrected by deleting the cookies associated with the site you're getting the error on.
   
   
   After removing the cookie(s), restart the browser and try again.
2. Troubleshoot as a 504 Gateway Timeout error instead.
   
   
   It's not very common, but some servers produce a 500 Internal Server Error when in reality 504 Gateway Timeout is a more appropriate message based on the cause of the problem.
3. Contacting the website directly is another option. There's a good chance that the site's administrators already know about the 500 error, but if you suspect they don't, letting them know helps both you and them (and everyone else).
   
   
   See our Website Contact Information list for contact information for popular websites. Most sites have support-based social network accounts and a few even have email and telephone numbers.
   
   
   Tip: If it looks like the site is down completely and you can't find a way to report the 500 Internal Server Error message to the website, it might help your sanity to keep up with the outage on Twitter. You can usually do this by searching for #websitedown on Twitter, as in #gmaildown or #facebookdown.

1. Come back later. Unfortunately, at this point, the 500 Internal Server Error is no doubt a problem outside of your control that will eventually get fixed by someone else.
   
   
   If the 500 Internal Server Error message is appearing at check out during an online purchase, it might help to realize that sales are probably being disrupted - usually a great incentive to the online store to fix the issue very quickly!
   
   
   Even if you're getting the 500 error on a site that doesn't sell anything, like YouTube or Twitter, as long as you've let them know about the problem, or at least tried, there's little more you can do than wait it out.

Fixing 500 Internal Server Error Problems on Your Own Site

A 500 Internal Server Error on your own website requires a completely different course of action. As we mentioned above, most 500 errors are server-side errors, meaning it's likely your problem to fix if it's your website.

There are lots of reasons why your site might be serving a 500 Error to your users, but these are the most common:

• A Permissions Error. In most cases, a 500 Internal Server Error is due to an incorrect permission on one or more files or folders. In most of those cases, an incorrect permission on a PHP and CGI script is to blame. These should usually be set at 0755 (-rwxr-xr-x).
• A PHP Timeout. If your script connects to external resources and those resources timeout, an HTTP 500 error can occur. Timeout rules, or better error handling in your script, should help if this is the cause of the 500 error.

• A Coding Error in .htaccess. While not as common, be sure to check that your site's .htaccess file is properly structured.

If you're running WordPress, Joomla, or another content management or CMS system, be sure to search their support centers for more specific help troubleshooting a 500 Internal Server Error.

If you're not using an off-the-shelf content management tool, your web hosting provider, like InMotion, Dreamhost, 1&1, etc., probably has some 500 Error help that might be more specific to your situation.

More Ways You Might See an Internal Server Error

In Internet Explorer, the message The website cannot display the page often indicates an HTTP 500 Internal Server Error. A 405 Method Not Allowed error is another possibility but you can be sure by looking for either 500 or 405 in the IE title bar.

When Google services, like Gmail or Google+, are experiencing a 500 Internal Server Error, they often report a Temporary Error (500), or simply 500.

When Windows Update reports an Internal Server Error, it appears as a WU_E_PT_HTTP_STATUS_SERVER_ERROR message or as the 0x8024401F error code.

If the website that reports the 500 error is running Microsoft IIS, you might get a more specific error message:

More information on these IIS-specific codes can be found on Microsoft's The HTTP status code in IIS 7.0, IIS 7.5, and IIS 8.0 page.

Errors Like the HTTP 500 Error

Many browser error messages are similar to the 500 Internal Server Error message because they're all server-side errors, like 502 Bad Gateway, 503 Service Unavailable, and 504 Gateway Timeout.

Many client-side HTTP status codes also exist, like the popular 404 Not Found error, among others. You can see all of them in our HTTP Status Code Errors list.

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