Convert DOT to DOTM

A legacy Word template may need conversion when a current workflow requires an Open XML template or the template must be maintained in Word’s newer macro-enabled format. Use Microsoft Word when preserving VBA matters; changing the format does not add macros.

What the DOT format is

.dot is the binary template format used by Microsoft Word 97–2003. It can store reusable styles, page layout, fields, and VBA macros, and is still found in older document libraries.

What the DOTM format is

.dotm is Word’s macro-enabled Open XML template format, supported by Word 2007 and later. It uses an XML-based Office package and can contain a VBA project. Unlike .dotx, it permits macros, but neither the extension nor conversion creates macro code.

How to convert the template

1. In desktop Word for Windows or Mac, choose File → Open → Browse and open the .dot file for editing. Do not double-click the file, which may create a new document based on the template instead.
2. Choose File → Save As. Set the file type or format to Word Macro-Enabled Template (*.dotm) and save under a new name to keep the original unchanged. On Mac, the format is selected in the Save As dialog.
3. Reopen the saved .dotm and check its layout and required macros. Run macros only from a trusted file; Word’s security settings may block them.

Word is the recommended desktop converter because it supports both formats and is the most reliable option for retaining Word-specific template features. Generic online converters may omit VBA or alter template behavior; avoid them when macros, confidential content, or faithful template behavior matter.

Quality and compatibility

Conversion usually preserves ordinary formatting, but check page breaks, fonts, fields, and embedded objects, especially in older templates. A VBA project may be retained, but references or code may need updating, and conversion can invalidate a macro signature. .dotm remains a template, not a macro-enabled document such as .docm.