Start a new document — Word

Every document starts with one small decision: blank page or template. This page explains what a template actually is, when it saves you an hour, and how to start either way without accidentally overwriting something you already have.

When Word opens it shows a gallery: a blank sheet on the left and a row of designed pages beside it — letters, reports, CVs, agendas. That screen is asking one question. Do you want to start from nothing, or start from something already laid out?

Blank page or template. The New gallery is one choice: an empty page, or a design already laid out. Either way, clicking makes a brand-new copy — nothing you see here can be damaged.

Start from nothing
Start from a ready-made design
Preview before you commit to it

Blank is the right choice when the content is short or the shape is obvious: a note, a list, a one-page letter you will format yourself. A template is worth it when the layout is fiddly and repeated — anything with columns, headed sections, or a house style you are expected to match.

Try it yourself

Open Word. If a document is already open, click File, then New.
File → New always brings the gallery back. You are never stuck with the document currently on screen.
Click Blank document and type a couple of lines.
This is the plainest possible start: default font, default margins, nothing decided for you.
Go back to File → New and type letter into the search box at the top.
Word searches thousands of ready-made designs online as well as the ones on your computer.
Click a template you like, then click Create.
This opens a brand-new untitled document based on that design. Note the title bar says Document, not the template's name — that is your proof it is a copy.
Click on the placeholder text, such as [Your name], and type over it.
Placeholders are there to be replaced. Anything in square brackets is the template telling you what belongs in that spot.

Words people use

Document

One Word file, made of pages you type on.

Template

A ready-made design you open a fresh copy of, rather than editing directly.

Placeholder

Sample text in a template, usually in brackets, that is meant to be typed over.

Blank document

A new file with no formatting decisions made — the default starting point.

Save As

Saving under a new name, which creates a second file and leaves the first one unchanged.

Check yourself

If you can say yes to each of these, you are ready for the next lesson.

I can start a new document from File → New at any time
I know a template opens as a copy and cannot be damaged
I can search for a template by describing what I need
I use Save As before editing an old document I want to keep