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.DOTM file extension

To open .DOTM files on Windows, open Microsoft Word, then use File > Open and select the .DOTM file (or double-click the file if Word is your default).

To open a .DOTM file, use Microsoft Word (it’s a Word macro-enabled template). Don’t rename the extension—open it directly in Word and only enable macros if you trust the source.

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Last updated: April 30, 2026 · Reviewed by Julian Stricker

Open on your device

Choose your operating system for a dedicated step-by-step opening guide.

How to open .DOTM files

Use these platform-specific instructions to open .DOTM files safely.

Windows

  1. Open Microsoft Word, then use File > Open and select the .DOTM file (or double-click the file if Word is your default).
  2. If Word shows a security warning about macros, choose to enable content only if you trust the sender and expect macros.
Full Windows guide

Mac

  1. Open the .DOTM file with Microsoft Word for Mac (File > Open).
  2. If you are prompted about macros, only enable them if the template is from a trusted source.
Full Mac guide

Linux

  1. .DOTM is a Word macro-enabled template format; full compatibility (especially macros) typically requires Microsoft Word—transfer the file to a Windows or macOS system with Word to use it as intended.
  2. If you only need to read the content, try opening it with a compatible document viewer/editor you already have installed, but expect macros not to run and formatting may differ.
Full Linux guide

iOS

  1. Open the file in Microsoft Word on iOS (from the Files app, tap the .DOTM file and choose Word if prompted); if it won’t open or you need full template/macro behavior, use Word on a desktop.
Full iOS guide

Android

  1. Open the file in Microsoft Word on Android (from your file manager, tap the .DOTM file and choose Word); for best compatibility with templates/macros, use Word on a desktop.
Full Android guide

Security notes

  • .DOTM is macro-enabled, meaning it may contain code (macros/scripts). Only enable macros if you trust the file’s origin and you expect automation behavior.
  • If you do not need macros, ask for a macro-free template (.DOTX) or a regular document format to reduce risk.
  • Be cautious with unexpected prompts to enable content/macros when opening .DOTM templates; that is a common entry point for malicious macro content.

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Can't open this file?

These are the most common causes and fixes when .DOTM files fail to open.

Common reasons

  • Word opens it, but macros are disabled
  • It opens as a document instead of acting like a reusable template
  • File won’t open or reports corruption
  • Opens on mobile, but features/formatting don’t match desktop Word

Fix steps

  1. If you trust the source and expect automation, follow Word’s security prompt to enable macros/content.
  2. If you don’t trust the source, keep macros disabled and request a non-macro template (.DOTX) or a macro-free document.

OS-specific troubleshooting

What is a .DOTM file?

.DOTM is a Microsoft Office Open XML template format for Word that is macro-enabled. It is similar to .DOTX (template) but allows embedded macros/scripts. Macro-enabled Office Open XML formats extend ECMA-376 via the Office macro mechanisms described in Microsoft’s Open Specifications.

Background

.DOTM files are used to create reusable Word templates (for example, standardized letters, reports, or forms). When you base new documents on a template, the template’s styles, layouts, and predefined content are available automatically.

The key difference from a regular Word template (.DOTX) is that .DOTM can include macros (typically VBA). This is useful for automation (e.g., custom buttons, document generation, formatting routines), but it also means the file can carry active code.

In practical workflows, .DOTM is common in organizations that distribute standardized templates with automation. Because it’s a macro-enabled format, many security prompts and policies in Word focus on whether macros should be allowed to run when opening a .DOTM template.

Common MIME types: application/vnd.ms-word.template.macroEnabled.12

Further reading

Authoritative resources for more details on the .DOTM format.

Common .DOTM issues

Word opens it, but macros are disabled

.DOTM files can contain macros, and Word may block macros by default or require explicit permission to run them.

  1. If you trust the source and expect automation, follow Word’s security prompt to enable macros/content.
  2. If you don’t trust the source, keep macros disabled and request a non-macro template (.DOTX) or a macro-free document.

It opens as a document instead of acting like a reusable template

.DOTM is a template; how you open it affects whether you create a new document based on it or edit the template itself.

  1. In Word, open the .DOTM file normally to edit the template, or create a new document based on it through Word’s template workflow.
  2. If you need a regular document, open the template, then save the result as a .DOCX (without macros) or .DOCM (with macros).

File won’t open or reports corruption

The download/transfer may be incomplete, the file may be blocked by policy, or it may be damaged.

  1. Re-download or re-copy the file from the original source to ensure it’s complete.
  2. Try opening the file in a current version of Microsoft Word, since .DOTM is an Office Open XML format.

Opens on mobile, but features/formatting don’t match desktop Word

Some template and macro behaviors are desktop-oriented; mobile apps may not fully support template workflows or macros.

  1. Use Microsoft Word on Windows or macOS for best compatibility with templates and macros.
  2. If you only need to view content, use mobile Word, but avoid relying on macro-based automation.

FAQ

What is the difference between .DOTM and .DOTX?

.DOTM is a Word template that can contain macros; .DOTX is a Word template that does not allow macros.

Is .DOTM the same as a Word document (.DOCX)?

No. .DOTM is a template used to create documents; .DOCX is a standard Word document. If you need a normal document output, create a document from the template and save it as .DOCX (or .DOCM if it must keep macros).

Can I make a .DOTM file by renaming a .DOCX or .DOTX file?

No. Renaming doesn’t convert the internal format. Use Word’s Save As / Save a copy features to save a template in the correct macro-enabled format.

What is the MIME type for .DOTM?

The registered media type is application/vnd.ms-word.template.macroEnabled.12.

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