You know you can use Microsoft Word to create, edit and revise your documents for a clean and professional feel in all of your work. But did you know that you can also use the features of Word 2000 and Publisher 2000 to create a consistent look and feel across all of your written communication?

Whether you're starting a business or planning a party, when you create a unified, coordinated look in all of your communication, you establish a strong impression that will help people to identify your documents and your goals. The designs you choose, along with your fonts, colors, graphics, and logo, all work together to form an identity for your organization or event. This, in turn, will help you to create a more memorable and lasting impression.

Use Templates in Word

In Word 2000, you can use or modify existing templates or create your own to establish a standard base for your documents.

You might want to use templates in Word when you will be creating multiple documents of the same type or function. Word is also helpful because it lets you use all of the word-processing functions you're already familiar with.

Create a Template from an Existing Document

1. On the File menu, click Open, and then click the document that you want to base the template on.
2. On the File menu, click Save As.
3. In the Save as type box, click Document Template.
4. Word automatically opens the default Templates folder. To save the template so that it will appear on a tab other than the General tab, switch to the corresponding subfolder within the Templates folder.
5. In the File name box, type a name for the new template, and then click Save.

Now you can make any changes that you want to appear in all the new documents to be based on this template. You can change font styles and shapes, page sizes and orientation, margin settings and other format options. You can also add artwork, a logo, lines or boxes, and any other graphical elements that you want to be a part of all your documents.

When you are finished designing the template, click Save on the File menu.

Use an Existing Template in Word

Word 2000 provides several useful templates for common home or business purposes. To create a set of documents that are consistent in layout and design, begin by following these steps:

1. On the File menu, click New.
2. Choose the template you wish to use by selecting it. (Unless you specify otherwise, any template you create will appear under the General tab.)
3. Click OK to continue.

You can navigate through the types of templates listed by clicking the tabs at the top of the File/New dialog box. You'll find templates for letters, reports, postcards and Web pages as well as business contracts, Articles of Incorporation, competitor comparisons, and corporate identity guidelines. Read for Working with Business Planner Templates more information about using the professional templates provided with Business Planner in Office 2000.

Or, you can use templates and wizards, which prompt you for information and design choices, to do things like writing legal pleadings and agendas, or creating flyers, envelopes, or mailing labels. You can also Create Letterhead by Using Microsoft Word or Customize Default Settings in Office 2000 to save time making other formatting changes.

Download New Templates from Microsoft Office Online

On the Microsoft Office Online site, you'll find the following resources:

• Supplemental Templates and Wizards for Word 2000
• Thesis and Term Paper Template for Word
• Human Resources and Operations Templates for Word
• Other sites offering additional information for Word Users

You can also modify any of the Word document templates or template downloads to fit your needs. For information on how to modify an existing template, type modify template in the Office Assistant or on the Answer Wizard tab in the Word 2000 Help window, and then click Search.

Use Wizards in Publisher

In Publisher 2000, you can select professionally designed publications from the Publisher Catalog and use wizards to tailor them to suit your needs.

You can select from a variety of publications such as newsletters, signs, cards, programs, business forms, and flyers. You can then work with the wizard to select a design, color scheme, graphics, and information sets. You can also further customize your publication by adding your own text, logo, and design elements.

Choose Publications by Design

You can use the Publisher desktop publishing tools and wizards across a series of publications to create a consistent, polished identity throughout several publications. Or you can click the Publications by Design tab in the Publisher Catalog to view master sets of publications that already share a look and feel, which you can then customize.

For example, if you want to plan and advertise a 5K run as a fundraising event for a civic group, you could create a flyer to post in public areas. Then you could send out postcards and entry forms to track club members and group patrons. You could even create a Web page and brochure to publicize your event and your cause.

Create an Announcement Flyer with a Publisher wizard

1. On the File menu, click New.
2. On the Publications by Wizard tab, click Flyers.
3. Under Flyers, click Event, and then select a design template under Event Flyers.
4. Click Start Wizard.

Follow the directions provided by the wizard as it takes you through choices about design, color scheme, graphics, and information sets. When the wizard is finished, you can enter text and make additional changes or edits to make your flyer appear the way you want it to.

Repeat the process for the other publications in your series, using the same design, graphics, colors, and information sets. All of these publications will share the same look and feel, and with your organization's logo and other customized changes, they will work together to convey a strong message and identity to your audience.

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