In this article, we are going to see how we can add and use a document template in library. Using a template, you can set a default file type so that every time a new record is created, that file/template will be used.

If all the documents added in a library are of an identical template, then it becomes easy for the users to view the documents and audit the records as well.

Setup an initial template for Document Library

• Go to Site Content
• Click on New >> App
• Click on Document Library.

• A pop up will open. Click on Advanced Options.

• Another window will open. Enter name ad description of the library.

• The main part is Document Template. Select the default template file format here. Click on Create.
• Here, we have selected Excel Spreadsheet.

Customize the default template in the document library.

• Go to Document Library settings of the newly created library.
• Click on Advanced Settings.
• Scroll down to the Document Template section

• Now, here we want to customize the default template. So, click on Edit Template.
• Template file (Excel here) will open. You can add the customization you want.

• You can see, I have added 5 columns in bold and added background color.
• Now, you have 2 options.
  • You Save the modified template.
  • You Save As (Different File Name) the template.
• I haven’t touched the default template. I have saved the file giving different name. If you have given different name, you need to mention that in the Template URL.

• Now, if you try to add any document using New button, you will see the updated template.

Add Custom file template

• What if you want to specify multiple templates? Let’s see how you can achieve this.
• There are 2 options.

Option 1: using Modern UI of the library

• Go to Library
• Click on New >> Add Template

• Here, I have added one Power Point file as a template.
• Immediately you can see a template added in the drop down. You can start using it.

Option 2: Using File Explorer

You need t perform this in Internet Explorer only.

• Open your library in Internet Explorer – Modern Experience.
• For Modern SharePoint - Click on – View in File Explorer from AllDocuments dropdown.

• For Classic SharePoint – Click on Library on the Ribbon Menu, then click on Open with Explorer in Connect & Export.

• You will get this option only in IE browser.
• File Explorer will open.

• It will open the Document Library location. We will append Forms at the end of the URL.

• Now copy and paste your template here.
• Go to Document Library settings of the library.
• Click on Advanced Settings.
• Scroll down to the Document Template section

• Update the path of the newly added template.
• Whatever template you have added, it will start appearing in the drop-down section where we select the type of the file.

Setup Document template in Library Content type

• Let’s say you have added three content types in document library.
• Now the ask is to use different template for different content type.
• Go to library settings and click on a content type where you want to set the template.
• List Content type setting page will open. Click on Advanced settings.

• Advanced settings page will open. Here you have a choice to either choose and existing template or – Upload a new document template.

• I have added a Power point template.
• Now you can see all the content types having different template added in library.