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
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 on “File” and then select “Save as“. Double-click “Computer” (if you use Office 2016, this selection is called “This PC“)
- 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“. Office automatically selects the “Custom Office Templates” folder as save location (by default, you can find the custom Word templates under “Computer”/”This PC” > “My Documents”).
- 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.
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.
