Word Cannot Open the Existing NORMAL.DOT

ID: Q58891


The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 1.1, 1.1a, 2.0, 2.0a, 2.0a-CD, 2.0b, 2.0c, 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c


SUMMARY

In Microsoft Word for Windows you may receive the error message:

Word cannot open the existing NORMAL.DOT.
-or-
Cannot open existing NORMAL.DOT.


MORE INFORMATION

The following are possible causes for this problem:

  • There is not enough available memory to open the NORMAL.DOT file.

    Close all applications you are not currently using. Remove any memory-resident programs loaded.


  • The file NORMAL.DOT may be corrupted. Try renaming NORMAL.DOT and reloading Word for Windows.


  • NORMAL.DOT has been saved as a document file and is no longer a template.


  • NORMAL.DOT is located on a network file server.


NOTE: Word must be closed when renaming.

For For additional information about using NORMAL.DOT on a network server, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q115717 21st User Cannot Open Shared, Read-Only File on Novell 3.11

Additional query words: 1.x 2.0 winword2 word6 winword 6.0

Keywords : kbtemplate
Version : WINDOWS:1.1,1.1a,2.0,2.0a,2.0a-CD,2.0b,2.0c,6.0,6.0a,6.0c
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type :


Last Reviewed: September 21, 1999
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