Microsoft Office

Where Are Microsoft Office Templates Stored

When it comes to Microsoft Office templates, many people may wonder where they are actually stored. Well, you might be surprised to learn that these templates are conveniently located within the Microsoft Office software itself. That's right, they are not stored online or in some remote location, but rather right there on your own computer.

In order to access these templates, all you need to do is open the relevant Microsoft Office program, such as Word, Excel, or PowerPoint. From there, you can navigate to the templates section and choose from a wide range of pre-designed templates that can help make your work more efficient and professional. Whether you're looking for a business proposal, a resume, or a presentation, Microsoft Office templates have got you covered.



Where Are Microsoft Office Templates Stored

Understanding Where Microsoft Office Templates Are Stored

Microsoft Office templates are a valuable resource for users to create professional-looking documents, spreadsheets, and presentations quickly and efficiently. These templates provide pre-designed layouts, graphics, and formatting options that save time and effort. However, it is essential to know where these templates are stored on your computer or online to access and use them effectively. In this article, we will explore the different locations where Microsoft Office templates are stored and how to access them.

Templates Stored on Your Computer

When you install Microsoft Office on your computer, a collection of default templates are installed locally. These templates are typically stored in specific folders depending on the Office application.

For Microsoft Word, the default templates are stored in the following directory:

Windows C:\Users\YourUserName\Documents\Custom Office Templates
Mac Macintosh HD⁩ ▸ ⁨Users⁩ ▸ ⁨YourUserName⁩ ▸ ⁨Library⁩ ▸ ⁨Application Support⁩ ▸ ⁨Microsoft⁩ ▸ ⁨Office⁩ ▸ ⁨User Templates⁩

For Microsoft Excel, the default templates are stored in the following directory:

Windows C:\Users\YourUserName\Documents\Custom Office Templates
Mac Macintosh HD ▸ ⁨Users⁩ ▸ ⁨YourUserName⁩ ▸ ⁨Library⁩ ▸ ⁨Application Support⁩ ▸ ⁨Microsoft⁩ ▸ ⁨Office⁩ ▸ ⁨User Templates⁩

For Microsoft PowerPoint, the default templates are stored in the following directory:

Windows C:\Users\YourUserName\Documents\Custom Office Templates
Mac Macintosh HD ▸ ⁨Users⁩ ▸ ⁨YourUserName⁩ ▸ ⁨Library⁩ ▸ ⁨Application Support⁩ ▸ ⁨Microsoft⁩ ▸ ⁨Office⁩ ▸ ⁨User Templates⁩

If you have downloaded or imported additional templates, they may be stored in different locations. In these cases, the templates are usually saved in a folder of your choice, and their location can be identified when saving or importing the template.

Accessing Templates from the Office Application

To access the templates stored on your computer from within the Office application, follow these steps:

  • In the Office application (Word, Excel, or PowerPoint), click on "File" in the top left corner of the screen.
  • Select "New" from the left-hand menu.
  • A variety of templates will appear, including the default templates installed on your computer. You can browse through the categories or search for specific templates using keywords.
  • Click on the desired template to open it, and you can start customizing it to your needs.

Templates Stored Online

In addition to the locally stored templates on your computer, Microsoft Office provides online templates that are accessible through Microsoft Office Online or through Office 365 if you have a subscription.

To access the online templates, follow these steps:

  • In the Office application (Word, Excel, or PowerPoint), click on "File" in the top left corner of the screen.
  • Select "New" from the left-hand menu.
  • Click on the "Online Templates" button. This will open a browser window.
  • From the browser window, you can browse through the extensive collection of online templates provided by Microsoft.
  • Once you find a template you want to use, click on it to open it in the Office application, and you can start customizing it.

Benefits of Using Online Templates

Using online templates offers several advantages:

  • Access to a vast collection of templates created by Microsoft and the community.
  • Regularly updated templates with new designs and features.
  • Templates can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection, making it convenient for users who work on different devices or locations.
  • Collaboration opportunities as multiple users can work on the same template simultaneously through shared online platforms.

Online templates are particularly useful for users who want to explore a wide range of design options and stay up-to-date with the latest templates offered by Microsoft.

Finding and Using Custom Templates

If you have created or downloaded custom templates, locating and using them may vary depending on where they are stored.

Locating Custom Templates

Custom templates can be saved in various locations, including:

  • The default custom templates folder on your computer
  • A specific folder you have chosen during the template saving process
  • Shared network locations or cloud storage platforms like OneDrive or SharePoint

To locate custom templates, follow these steps:

  • Open the Office application (Word, Excel, or PowerPoint).
  • Click on "File" in the top left corner of the screen.
  • Select "New" from the left-hand menu.
  • Under the "Custom" or "Custom Templates" section, you will find the custom templates stored on your computer or in the chosen folder.

Using Custom Templates

To use custom templates, follow these steps:

  • Open the Office application (Word, Excel, or PowerPoint).
  • Click on "File" in the top left corner of the screen.
  • Select "New" from the left-hand menu.
  • Under the "Custom" or "Custom Templates" section, click on the custom template you want to use.
  • The template will open in the Office application, and you can start customizing it to suit your needs.

Enhancing Productivity with Microsoft Office Templates

Microsoft Office templates are a valuable resource for professionals and individuals who want to create high-quality documents, presentations, and spreadsheets efficiently. By knowing where the templates are stored and how to access them, users can save time and effort in designing their content from scratch. Whether you choose to use default templates installed locally, explore the extensive collection of online templates, or create and utilize your custom templates, Microsoft Office provides the tools to enhance productivity and produce visually appealing materials.


Where Are Microsoft Office Templates Stored

Location of Microsoft Office Templates

Microsoft Office templates are stored in specific locations on your computer, depending on the version of Office you are using.

For Microsoft Office 2016, the default location for templates is:

  • C:\Users\YourUserName\Documents\Custom Office Templates

In earlier versions of Office, the default location for templates might vary. You can find the location of your templates by following these steps:

  • Open any Office application, such as Word or Excel.
  • Click on "File" in the top left corner.
  • Select "Options" and then choose "Save" from the left-hand menu.
  • Look for the "Default personal templates location" section.
  • This will display the location where your templates are stored.

You can also customize the location of your templates by selecting a different folder in the "Default personal templates location" section.


Key Takeaways

  • Microsoft Office templates are stored in the default template location on your computer.
  • The default storage location for Microsoft Office templates is different for Windows and Mac users.
  • For Windows users, the default storage location is "C:\Users\[username]\Documents\Custom Office Templates".
  • For Mac users, the default storage location is "/Users/[username]/Library/Group Containers/U712TPX9T5.Office/User Content/Templates".
  • You can change the default template location in Microsoft Office applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some commonly asked questions about where Microsoft Office templates are stored.

1. How do I find Microsoft Office templates on my computer?

To find Microsoft Office templates on your computer, open any Office application such as Word, Excel, or PowerPoint. Click on the "File" tab in the top left corner of the application. From the dropdown menu, select "New" or "New from Template." This will open the template library where you can browse and search for various templates.

You can also access templates from the Microsoft Office website by visiting templates.office.com. Here, you can explore a wide range of templates, including resumes, calendars, budgets, and more. Simply download the templates you need and open them in the respective Office application.

2. Can I customize and save my own templates in Microsoft Office?

Yes, you can customize and save your own templates in Microsoft Office. Start by creating a document, spreadsheet, or presentation with the desired formatting, styles, and content. Once you're finished, click on the "File" tab and select "Save As." In the Save As dialog box, choose "Word Template," "Excel Template," or "PowerPoint Template" as the file format. Give your template a name, choose a save location, and click "Save."

Your customized template will now be available in the template library of the respective Office application. To use it, go to the "File" tab, click on "New" or "New from Template," and select your saved template from the library.

3. Can I share Microsoft Office templates with others?

Yes, you can share Microsoft Office templates with others. To do this, first, save the template you want to share. Then, go to the location where the template is saved and right-click on the file. Select "Send to" from the dropdown menu and choose a method for sharing, such as email or a cloud storage service.

If you're using Microsoft 365, you can also collaborate on templates in real-time with others. Simply save the template to a shared location or upload it to a collaboration platform like SharePoint or OneDrive. This way, multiple users can access and edit the template simultaneously.

4. Where are Microsoft Office templates stored on a Mac?

On a Mac, Microsoft Office templates are stored in the "Custom Office Templates" folder. To access this folder, open Finder, click on "Go" in the menu bar, and select "Go to Folder." Type "~/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/Office/Templates" in the text field and click "Go."

In this Templates folder, you will find various subfolders for different Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Each subfolder contains the templates specific to that application.

5. Can I download additional Microsoft Office templates from the internet?

Yes, you can download additional Microsoft Office templates from the internet. In addition to the templates available in the Microsoft Office application and website, you can find a wide range of templates from third-party websites or from the template galleries of specific industries or communities.

To download templates from the internet, simply search for the type of template you need (e.g., "business plan template" or "birthday invitation template") and include "Microsoft Office" in your search query. Browse through the search results and choose a reliable source or website to download the template from. Follow the website's instructions to download and save the template to your computer.



In conclusion, Microsoft Office templates are stored in specific locations on your computer. For Windows users, templates are stored in the Custom Office Templates folder, which is typically located in the Documents folder. On Mac systems, the templates are stored in the ~/Library/Group Containers folder.

These templates can be accessed directly from within the Microsoft Office applications, such as Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, by navigating to the "File" tab and selecting "New" or "New from Template." Alternatively, you can also download and install templates from the Microsoft website or other trusted sources to expand your selection. Having easy access to templates can save you time and help you create professional documents efficiently.


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