I am trying to change the default for the positioning of the delivery address on envelopes. I can go into the options and make the changes I want manually which will print out the current envelope, but nothing I try will make this the default positioning for all future envelopes. I know Word has some sort of fault where this is concerned, but perhaps someone knows a way around it?

The default address position for envelopes is stored as part of Word's 'Normal.dot' template. Word uses this template when opening new documents. The envelope position for this template can be permanently changed:

* Open Word.
* Go to: 'File > Open'.
* Browse to the 'Normal.dot' template located at: 'C:\Documents and Settings\YourUserName\Application Data\Microsoft\Templates'.
* Click on the 'Normal.dot' icon to open the file.
* Go to: 'Tools > Envelopes and Labels'.
* In the box that opens, select the 'Envelopes' tab.
* Click the 'Options' button.
* Position the address on the envelope picture and click OK. This will close the 'Envelope Options' dialogue box but still leave the 'Envelopes and Labels' box open.
* In that box, click the 'Add to Document' button (don't worry about what happens to the document).
* Go to: 'Edit > Select All'.
* Press 'Delete' on the keyboard.
* Press the 'Save' button on the toolbar.

Next time a new document is opened, the default address position on envelopes will be as you set it. If you have created any other document templates (.dot), such as headed paper, you would need to carry out the above procedure for those as well.

Although the normal.dot template can be changed permanently regarding envelope address position, font size/type, paragraph settings etc, it may be best to leave this template alone and create another one for applying changes to. Then there will always be the MS Word default document to fall back on if ever it's necessary.

To create a template:

* Open a blank (new) document.
* Set the envelope address position.
* Set font preferences.
* Set preferred paragraph spacing.
* Set any other preferences.
* Go to: 'Save As'.
* Select 'Document Template (*.dot)' from the drop-down list of file types.
* Give the document a name (perhaps 'Headed paper' if you typed your address into it).
* Save the document.

It should automatically save in the Templates folder (location given above). If by chance it doesn't, move it to there. Next time you open a new document from the Start Menu, the created template should show in the 'New Office Document' dialogue box. Click on this one rather than the default 'Blank Document'.