I am using Microsoft Word 2003. I use templates, that are not created by me,
with Macros enabled. I have turned the security down to its lowest level so
I am not asked if I want to enable the Macros when the file opens.

When I open any of these files, they take about five minutes to fully open.
During that time, the application appears frozen and if I click anywhere in
the window, the page goes white. At the end of the approximate five minute
timeframe, the document opens and I can work on it.

Closing the file usually, but not always, takes a few minutes as well.
After a few minutes, I am prompted to save changes in the document and when
I respond, it closes .

Possibly your virus checker is in action.

You should _not_ have macro security turned to Low. Instead, you should be
storing your templates in a templates folder and setting security to trust
installed templates and add-ins. For more on the different kinds of
templates, tabs on the file new dialog, and locations of templates folders
see http://addbalance.com/usersguide/templates.htm.
--

Charles Kenyon

Word New User FAQ & Web Directory: http://addbalance.com/word

Intermediate User's Guide to Microsoft Word (supplemented version of
Microsoft's Legal Users' Guide) http://addbalance.com/usersguide

See also the MVP FAQ: http://www.mvps.org/word which is awesome!
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"John OGrady" John wrote in message
...
I am using Microsoft Word 2003. I use templates, that are not created by
me,
with Macros enabled. I have turned the security down to its lowest level
so
I am not asked if I want to enable the Macros when the file opens.

When I open any of these files, they take about five minutes to fully
open.
During that time, the application appears frozen and if I click anywhere
in
the window, the page goes white. At the end of the approximate five
minute
timeframe, the document opens and I can work on it.

Closing the file usually, but not always, takes a few minutes as well.
After a few minutes, I am prompted to save changes in the document and
when
I respond, it closes .

And see http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=830561 "Documents that have
attached templates take a long time to open in Word 2002 and in Word
2003" for another possible explanation.

John OGrady wrote:
I am using Microsoft Word 2003. I use templates, that are not created by me,
with Macros enabled. I have turned the security down to its lowest level so
I am not asked if I want to enable the Macros when the file opens.

When I open any of these files, they take about five minutes to fully open.
During that time, the application appears frozen and if I click anywhere in
the window, the page goes white. At the end of the approximate five minute
timeframe, the document opens and I can work on it.

Closing the file usually, but not always, takes a few minutes as well.
After a few minutes, I am prompted to save changes in the document and when
I respond, it closes .