3 Easy Ways to Make a Template in Google Docs

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Quickly and easily turn any Google Doc into a template with or without a paid Google Workspace account
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Whether you’re filling out forms or sending out dozens of versions of the same letter, being able to work from a template can be incredibly useful. While Google Docs comes with a variety of basic templates, what if you want to create your own? If you have a Google Workplace account, template creation and management might be part of your plan. If not, don’t worry—we’ll show you some quick and easy workarounds to make a template for free with a basic Google account!

Creating Templates in Google Docs: Fast Facts

  • You need a paid Google Workspace account to submit templates to the Template Gallery.
  • One easy workaround is to create a base document, then go to File > Make a Copy and make edits to the copy.
  • You can also edit the URL of a doc to make it act like a template by replacing “edit” with “template/preview.”
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using the “Make a Copy” Workaround

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  1. If you don’t have a Google Workspace account, this is a very simple (and free!) workaround. To get started, make a generic document that you’d like to use as your template.
  2. For example, you could call it something like “Invoice Template” or “Query Letter Template.” Just choose something that will be easy for you to identify.
    • If you’re making a template for others to use as well, make sure you share it with anyone who needs to have access. Click the Share button in the top right corner to add people or make changes to the permission settings.
    • To make sure nobody accidentally changes the template itself, save the template to a Google Drive folder and set the folder’s permissions so that collaborators can view and edit the contents. Then, set the template file itself to View Only . This should allow anyone else with access to the folder to copy the template but not edit it directly.
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  3. Any time you want to use your template, all you have to do is use the Make a Copy feature. With your template document open, click File > Make a Copy at the top left corner of the page.
  4. In the window that pops up, fill in a name for the document you’d like to make from your template (for example, “Invoice for John Smith”). Select a save destination, such as My Drive .
    • You can also choose if you want to share the new document with the same people or copy over comments and suggestions on the original document.
  5. After you’ve made your selections, click the blue Make a copy button. You can now edit the copied document to your heart’s content without making any changes to the original template you created! You can make an unlimited number of new documents this way (as long as you have enough room in your Google Drive account).
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Changing the URL of Your Doc

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  1. This odd little hack turns an ordinary doc into a template so that you can make a copy to work from. To start, open the doc you want to use as a template. Delete the word edit from the very end of the URL.
  2. After the / symbol at the end of the URL where “edit” used to be, paste in template/preview . Press Return or Enter on your keyboard.
  3. A new window will load with a preview of your document. You’ll see a blue button at the top right corner that says USE TEMPLATE . Click on it to load a new copy of your document.
    • This will create an exact copy of your document in the same location as the original. You can now edit the copy however you like. Just be sure to save it with a different name from the original so you can easily tell them apart!
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

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  1. If you have a paid Workspace account, or if you have access to one through your job or school, you may be able to create templates. To get started, create the base document you want to use as a template, give it a name, and save it. [1]
    • Template management isn’t available with all Google Workplace plans. For example, if you’re using the Business Basic plan, you’ll need to upgrade to Business Standard to get access to this feature.
    • If you’re using a Google Workplace plan through your school or work and these directions don’t work for you, reach out to whoever administers your Google Workplace account for help.
  2. After you’ve created your template, return to https://docs.google.com . From the Google Docs home page, click Template Gallery at the top right side of the screen.
  3. If you’re logged into your Google Workspace account, you should see the name of your organization in the list of options when you click Template Gallery . Click on it to proceed.
  4. If you don’t see this option, it may not be available with your plan, or the administrator of your plan might not have enabled the right settings for you to do this.
  5. Now you’ll be prompted to browse your docs for the template you created.
  6. If you like, you can choose the option to submit a copy of the file instead of the original.
  7. You can select any two categories for your template. If someone else is administering the account you’re working with, they may have created custom categories for you to use (such as “Invoice” or “Sales Report”). If you’re the administrator, you can make your own .
  8. Your template should now appear in your organization’s template gallery.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    What if I don't want to share the template with the rest of the world?
    Community Answer
    You'd need a G Suite account to do that. Then, go to "Template Gallery", click your domain, click "New," and create.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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    Yes No
    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 3
  • Question
    Where do I find this website?
    Community Answer
    It does not exist anymore. You can view preset templates included by Google on the docs homepage. If you have G Suite, your domain templates will appear here as well.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 3
  • Question
    Why can't I find the "Submit a Template" button in Google Docs?
    Community Answer
    I have the same problem. To post a template, one needs a G Suite account. However, this account is not free. The basic account costs $6 a month.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.google.com/a/users/answer/13003605?sjid=15966020056539888000-NC#create_document_templates&zippy=%2Clearn-how

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