Creating a custom template in Microsoft Word allows you to use the same document layout without having to recreate it by hand each time. We show you how to create and save a custom template as well as how to use it.
How to create a custom template in Microsoft Word – step by step
Time needed: 3 minutes.
First, you need to create the template you want to save. For this, open a “New Document” and adjust the layout until it is to your satisfaction.
Click “File” and select “Save as”
Click on “File” and then select “Save as”.
Double-click “Computer”
Double-click “Computer” (if you use Office 2016, this selection is called “This PC”)
Fill the field “File name”
Now type a name for the template into the field “File name”: just as you would for any other document.
For “Save as type:” select “Word Template”
For “Save as type:” select “Word Template”. Office automaticially selects the “Custom Office Templates” folder as save location (by default, you can find the custom Word templates under “Computer”/”This PC” > “My Documents”)
Click on “Word Macro-Enabled Template”
If you use any macros in your template, click on “Word Macro-Enabled Template”.
Confirm by clicking “Save”
Tip: If you want to change the save location for your custom templates, you can do so by clicking “File” > “Options” > “Save“. Then you can select the new save folder under “Default personal templates’ location“.
How to use custom templates
To use one of your custom templates, proceed as follows.
Create a new Word document by clicking “File” > “New“.
Below the selection for the blank document, you find the templates. To see your custom templates, select “Custom” (if you’re using Office 2013, this tab is called “Personal“)
To choose your custom template, simply click on it.
Screenshot of Microsoft Word showing the custom template tab (c) Screenshot
Sandra Sporer
My name is Sandra Sporer. I’m a 27-year-old English Literature student with an interest in gaming, art, books (of course), cinema and history. My love for writing sparked my interest in journalism and I completed a one-year-internship at my local newspaper right after school. From 2018 onward I have been writing articles for CHIP, Focus, How2ForU and other websites.
