Word cannot open the existing global template Normal.dotm

Anyone found a solution for this? I have been running Office 365 (2016) for Mac since January and it was working just fine. During one of the last updates from MSFT, I started to get the following message anytime I launch Outlook:

Word cannot open the existing global template (normal.dotm)

After the initial launch of Outlook, it operates just fine. Interesting in MS Word, I do NOT get this message. Word works just fine.

Thanks!

It seems that the solution - at least, the solution that worked for me - was to reinstall OS X and Microsoft Office. Since I did that, I have experienced no trouble with the Normal.dotm error message.

In my case, this seems to be a problem that is very, very transient. I have a brand new MacBook Pro Retina with a brand new corporate image. I have been using this laptop for a week. I saw the problem once a couple of days and didn't have the presence of mind to note what I was doing. It hasn't happened since.

When you go onto a word document, go on "file -> save as template" ; then call your template a memorable unique word, for example "cabbage". Now go into finder and search for "cabbage" in the search bar. You should find the template you created, right click and select "show encasing folder" . You should see the "Normal" folder now. Follow the other instructions from here.

This might be a little late but figure to put in my 2 cent. I'm a IT admin and had to deal with the same problem for an employee recently. Turns out the problem was caused by the user accidentally renaming the Macintosh HD on the desktop to something else. Oddly enough it doesn't affect the Mac from booting up and still allows you to open most apps except for programs like Office. Changing the name back to "Macintosh HD" fixed it for me.

Give this a try before doing something drastic like reformatting the computer.

I tried the other methods mentioned in this discussion and others to no avail regarding creating new templates and deleting files in the var folders.

Maybe I should have used the phrase "your default HD name" instead of "Macintosh HD" to explain my solution. In any case, I'm just glad I was able to fix the problem without having to reformat the Mac since this was the Senior VP's computer. =)

Restart your Mac, try again. Post back.

Does anyone have a less drastic solution?

If you mean one that actually works, no.

This worked for me! Thanks Danyaoo

How do I get to the "New Template" option?

That method is not consistent, my HD has never been called MacintoshHD and I have never had a problem opening Word's templates, any of them.

MacintoshHD is the default name, I have no idea what you are going on about but every single drive that has had a name change has also stopped using MacintoshHD as its drive name.

Wow! Thank you ... your solution was perfect.

Worked for me! Simple fix in my case without resorting to more drastic and time consuming.