Templates are far more than just convenient — In fact, they can be crucial. Check out our simple guide on how to use document templates in Microsoft Word.

If you're using Time Machine to back up your Mac, you can always restore back the previous version of the document — but now you've lost your new changes and will have to redo them.

Finally, save the file as a template: In Word 2003, click File > Save As, give the template a name such as "Two-column layout," choose a location for the file (more on this below), select Document ...