While Google Docs has a template gallery that lets you choose from premade templates, you can also create your own custom templates for different purposes. This removes the limitations of premade templates, allowing you to create templates for specific objectives, such as company flyers, internal communication documents, and more. All Google users can create templates, though some features are only available for Workspace users.

Creating a template

  1. Open a web browser and go to the Google Docs website before signing in to your Google account.
  2. Once signed in, click on the '+' icon and select 'blank document'.
  1. Type in a name for the template in the text box provided at the top.
  1. Now, click on the File button at the top to view the File menu.
  1. Then click on 'Page Setup'.
  1. Now, click on the 'Page color' dropdown menu and select a background color for the template. You can even enter a hexadecimal color code to use a custom background color.
  1. If you want the new background color to be applied to all new documents, click on 'Set as default'. However, this will not apply to existing documents.
  1. Google Docs does not have placeholders for text and images so you'll just have to add details like the Title, Subheading, and various headings manually and customize them using the text toolbar, depending on what the template will be used for. For instance, you can enter your company name, tagline, and address.
  1. To insert images such as the company logo, click on the Insert button at the top and select 'Image' before clicking on 'Upload from computer'.
  1. Select your company logo from your computer and then position it where you want on the template.
  1. To provide a layout break to your template, click on the Insert button at the top and click on 'Horizontal line'. Then you can add other details like the company's guidelines, rules, and other information to the template.

Saving your custom Template

Once you've created your template, it is time to save it. Keep in mind that Google Docs only lets Workspace users save custom templates directly. If you want to save a template created using your personal Google account, you will have to rely on workaround methods.

For Google Workspace users

  1. To save a custom template that you've created as a Workspace user, go back to the main Google Docs page and click on 'Template Gallery'.
  2. Then click on the name of your organization.
  3. Next, click on 'Submit template'. You will require permission from your organization to change the sharing settings of your template.
  4. When the 'Submit a template' dialog box appears, click on 'Select a document' and then on 'Open' before selecting the template you created.
  5. Now select a category for the template before clicking on the 'Submit' button. Once you save your template, it will show up in the Template Gallery.

For personal users

  1. Once you've created your template, click on the File button at the top and then click on 'Make a copy'. This will ensure you do not mess up the original template when using it.
  1. Now you can save the original template or its copy for future use. Give the template a name that will be easy for you to remember.
  2. If you want others to use the template as well, you can share it with others by clicking on the 'Share' button and adding the people whom you want to share it with.
Note: Save your template to a Google Drive folder and change the permissions to allow collaborators to view and edit the contents. Then set the template to 'View Only' to allow other people to copy the template but prevent them from changing the template itself.

Things to know

  • For text sections that will change depending on the use of the template, you can use placeholders, like name, date, location, etc.
  • If you want to use the template without wanting to change anything, make sure to create a copy of the template and make the changes to that.
  • For best results, avoid adding too many elements to your template and overcrowding it.