Save your document as a template in Word by using File > Save As, then choosing Word Template from the file type dropdown

When you save a document as a template in Microsoft Word, you're creating a reusable starting point for future documents. Instead of rebuilding the same layout, formatting, or structure each time, you open the template and Word automatically creates a new document based on it — leaving your original template untouched. This is useful for anything you create repeatedly: invoices, meeting agendas, cover letters, or project plans.

The process differs slightly depending on whether you use Word on Windows, Mac, or the web version, but the core idea is the same: tell Word to save your file as a template format rather than a regular document.

Key Takeaways

  • Saving as a template creates a reusable starting point; opening the template generates a new document each time rather than editing the original.
  • On Windows, use File > Save As, select Word Macro-Enabled Template or Word Template from the file type menu, and save to your Templates folder.
  • On Mac, the process is the same but Word saves templates to a different folder location by default.
  • You can organize templates into subfolders within your Templates directory so they appear as categories when you create a new document.
  • Templates can include placeholder text, formatting, styles, and even macros, all of which carry over when you create a new document from the template.

Save as template on Windows

Open the document you want to save as a template. Go to File in the top-left corner, then click Save As. A dialog box will open showing your current location and file name.

In the Save as type dropdown (near the bottom of the dialog), select either Word Template (.dotx) or Word Macro-Enabled Template (.dotm) if your template contains macros or custom code. For most templates, .dotx is the right choice. When you change the file type, Word automatically redirects you to your Templates folder — this is where Word looks when you create a new document from a template.

Give your template a clear name (for example, "Invoice Template" or "Meeting Agenda"), then click Save. Word saves the file and closes it. The next time you open Word and go to File > New, your template will appear in the list of available templates.

Save as template on Mac

The steps are nearly identical on Mac. Open your document, click File, then Save As. In the File Format dropdown, choose Word Template (.dotx) or Word Macro-Enabled Template (.dotm).

On Mac, Word saves templates to a different location by default: Users > [Your Username] > Library > Group Containers > UBF8T346G9.Office > User Content > Templates. Word handles this redirect automatically when you select the template format, so you don't need to navigate there manually. Name your template and click Save.

Organize templates into folders

If you create several templates, organizing them into subfolders makes them easier to find. On Windows, open File Explorer and navigate to Documents > Custom Office Templates (or AppData > Roaming > Microsoft > Templates if you're saving to the default location). Create a new folder — for example, "Business" or "Personal" — and move your template files into it.

On Mac, navigate to the Templates folder mentioned above and create subfolders the same way. When you go to File > New > Personal Templates in Word, your subfolders will appear as separate categories, making it simple to find the right template.

What to include in a template

A template can contain anything a regular document can: formatted text, tables, headers and footers, page margins, styles, and placeholder text. When someone opens your template, they see all of this — but any changes they make create a new document without altering the original template.

Use placeholder text to show where information should go. For example, in an invoice template, you might type "[Your Company Name]" at the top and "[Invoice Date]" in a field below. When someone opens the template, they replace these placeholders with actual information. You can also set up styles (like "Heading 1" or "Body Text") so that anyone using the template maintains consistent formatting.

Open and use a template you've saved

To create a new document from your template, open Word and click File > New. You'll see a list of templates, including any you've saved. Click the template you want, and Word creates a new document based on it. The template file itself remains unchanged in your Templates folder.

If you want to edit the template itself later — to change the layout or update placeholder text — go to File > Open and navigate to your Templates folder. Open the .dotx file directly, make your changes, and save it. The next time someone creates a document from that template, they'll see your updates.

Convert an existing document to a template

You don't need to create a template from scratch. If you already have a document with the layout and formatting you want to reuse, simply open it and follow the save-as-template steps above. Word converts it to a template format without changing the content.

Before converting, remove any one-time information — specific dates, names, or project details that won't apply to future uses. Keep only the structure, formatting, and text that should appear in every document created from this template.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between .dotx and .dotm template formats?

.dotx is the standard template format and works for most templates. .dotm is a macro-enabled template, used only if your template contains macros or custom code. If you're unsure, use .dotx — you can always convert it later if needed.

Can I share a template with someone else?

Yes. Send them the .dotx file via email or file sharing. They can place it in their Templates folder (Documents > Custom Office Templates on Windows, or the Library path on Mac), and it will appear in their File > New menu. They can also open the .dotx file directly and save their work as a regular .docx document.

If I edit a template, do existing documents created from it change?

No. Documents created from a template are independent copies. Editing the template afterward only affects new documents created from it going forward. Existing documents keep their original formatting and content.

Where does Word store my templates?

On Windows, Word stores templates in Documents > Custom Office Templates or AppData > Roaming > Microsoft > Templates. On Mac, they're in Users > [Your Username] > Library > Group Containers > UBF8T346G9.Office > User Content > Templates. Word navigates to the correct folder automatically when you save as a template.

Can I delete a template I no longer need?

Yes. Navigate to your Templates folder using File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac), find the .dotx file, and delete it. It will no longer appear in your File > New menu. This doesn't affect any documents you've already created from that template.