How to Find Microsoft Word Templates Online

Access online templates directly from Word or from the online templates library

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James Marshall
James Marshall
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    James Marshall is a pro journalist who covers technology and computer troubleshooting. He is also skilled with Microsoft Word, Apple Pages, and other word processors.
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    Updated on February 13, 2021
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    Ryan Perian
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    Reviewed by Ryan Perian
    • Western Governors University
    Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist who holds numerous IT certifications and has 12+ years' experience working in the IT industry support and management positions.
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    Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Office include many ready-to-use templates built into the software. If you're looking for a particular style or layout for your document and can't find it among the templates included with Word, don't worry.

    You don't have to create one from scratch. The Microsoft Online site is an excellent resource in your search for the right template.

    Instructions in this article apply to Microsoft Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2019, Word 2016, and Word for Mac.

    How to Access Online Templates

    You can find and download Microsoft Office online templates in Word. Here's how:

    1. Select File > New to start a new document.

    2. Select a template or use the search box to find alternatives.

      Microsoft Word's new-file screen.

    3. When you find the template you want to use, select it to see a preview and description. Select Create to open the template.

      New menu in Word with the Create button highlighted

    How to Access Online Templates for Word on the Mac

    The process for finding and opening a new template on Microsoft Word for Mac is similar to the Windows version. However, the online templates are integrated with the in-app ones when you search.

    1. Select File > New from Template.

      The keyboard shortcut is Shift+Command+P.

      New from Template option in Word for Mac

    2. Click Templates (located next to Search at the top of the screen).

      Templates option in the Search heading in Word for Mac

    3. Use the search bar to look for a specific kind of template.

      Search bar in Templates section of Word for Mac

    4. The results will be a mix of the preloaded Word templates and the ones available online. Select the template you want.

    5. Select Create to download the template and open a newly formatted document ready for use.

      Choose button in Word for Mac

    Download Templates from the Office Online Website

    Depending on your version of Word, your web browser will either display templates within the app or open the Office templates page in the web browser.

    In older versions of Word that are no longer supported by Microsoft, such as Word 2003, an error page may appear when Word opens the Office Online page in a web browser. If this is the case, go to the Office Online templates page.

    From the Office templates page, you can search by Office program or by theme. When you search by program, you have the option to search by document type.

    When you find a template that suits your needs, click Download or Customize in Word. The template will open for editing in Word or online.

    Customize in Word or Download options highlighted from a Microsoft Word online template

    What Is a Template?

    Templates are pre-formatted document file types that create a copy of the template contents when opened. These versatile files help you quickly create documents like flyers, research papers, and resumes with no manual formatting. Template files for Microsoft Word use the extensions .dot, .dotx, or .dotm.

    When you open a template, Word opens a new document with all the formatting in place, ready for you to customize as needed. You can then save the document with a unique filename.

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