Unknown facts about DOT file extension

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While file extensions come in so many different formats, one of the most widely used was the file extension DOT or “.dot” which corresponds to Microsoft Word files used mainly as template for creating Word Documents. Specifically, Microsoft Word 2003 indicates files with .dot extensions as a template while Microsoft Word 2007 version specifies the file extension pertaining to a template to have .dotx instead.

A template being defined in the context of file format refers to those features commonly found on most software applications that uses a unique file format specifically designed for that particular application. If Microsoft Word (focusing on version 2003) uses the file extension DOT as its template for creating Word Documents, then how important is it?

On any computer running (pre-2007) Microsoft Word, there is a file called Normal.DOT. This is the background that a user can see whenever a new Word document is opened which normally consists of preset values on page format–left and right, top and bottom, fonts, font style, etc. Normal.DOT stores user-specific settings and is not designed to be shared by multiple users on a single computer or over a network unless a global template is created.

If a user after creating a Word document opted to save it as a .dot file, then that is where the error comes in. Why? Because whatever changes made on the preset values will now then becomes the new or default template the next time a new Word document is opened which can result in badly formatted pages that anybody doesn’t want to happen. Make sure that whenever a Word document is to be saved, always choose .doc among the options on the drop-down box.

Suggested reading can be found on http://www.fileextensiondot.org/ for a more detailed explanation.

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