We’ve said it before – if you’re creating a lot of documents in Microsoft Word, templates are the way forward. We’ve already talked about how we create templates and what goes into our process. But why do we like Word templates so much? And why do we think you should be using them? Well, here are five good reasons…
Efficiency
You only need to create a template once. Using that template in the future means you don’t have to spend time formatting your document – it’s already done! Templates take the time-consuming part out of document creation, leaving you free to focus on the quality of your content.
Consistency
Templates basically enforce overall consistency by having a pre-determined structure and layout. All documents made using a template will match its layout exactly. When it comes to your document’s content, Word’s Styles tool is a great way to maintain consistent formatting. A fundamental feature of Microsoft Word templates, Styles ensure consistency across all the text in your document.
Accuracy
We’ve all done it – sent off a document only to realise we missed out something relevant or important. That pre-determined structure we mentioned earlier also helps keep errors to a minimum. Template elements such as headers can serve as a reminder of points or sections to include, which may otherwise be left out. Word Styles also come with the option to set your spelling language – so those of not using US English can spellcheck our content too!
Automation
A big reason templates save so much time – and frustration – is automated formatting. The automatic Table of Contents, for example, is one of Word Styles’ best features. Want to change a section header? No need to manually update the ToC – Word will do it for you!
Professionalism
Perhaps the biggest benefit – standing out from the crowd. Templates bring order to your documents, giving them that sleek professional edge. And we don’t need to tell you what setting yourself apart from the competition can do for your brand!
Looking for resources to help with your Microsoft Word templates? Check out our related posts below, or get in touch with our expert team!
Document Formatting: How to Use Styles in Word
Creating a Word Template: The Basics