How to Create a Template in Publisher

If you find yourself creating a publication repeatedly, then you need to create a template instead. Templates are essentially a master pattern that you work from in creating publications. In the desktop publishing software, Microsoft Publisher, templates can be helpful when working on newsletters or flyers that use the same layout and design elements. Follow these steps to save time by creating a template in Publisher.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Decide what you want to include in your template. With letterhead, you'll want to keep logos and contact information. In a newsletter, the banner and layout marks for articles will stay the same. Insert date and time fields so that these items automatically update every time you open the file.

2. Create a new template with the Microsoft Publisher Wizard or from a blank page. When you have added all the items that you want to use for similar publications, click "File" on the menu bar. Click "Save as" and then enter a file name. Choose "Save as type" and click on "Publisher Template."

3. Make a template from an already saved file to save even more time. Open Microsoft Publisher. Choose "File" and then "Open" to find the file. Once you have opened the file that you want to turn into a template, review it for any changes you want to make. Then repeat Step 2.

4. Produce a publication by opening the Publisher program. The New Publication task pane should open when you first start Publisher. Click "New" and "From template." The template window opens and allows you to pick the template you want to work from.

5. Add whatever information you want to the template. When you're done, click "Save" or "Save As." When you click "Save" on a template, it automatically opens the "Save As" window so that you can save it as a publication (.pub) and not accidentally write over your template.

6. Enter changes into your template when you want to change it. But when the "Save as" menus pops up, you'll need to find "Publisher Template" in the "Save As" window. You can either enter a new name or click the name of the changed template. Click "Save." It will ask if you want to replace the existing tile. Click "yes."

7. Organize templates into categories if you see yourself having many templates. When you save to the template folder, click "Create a New Folder." Make certain that when you save a template to this new folder that you are saving it as a "Publisher Template."

Tips & Warnings

• Download additional templates from the Microsoft Office Online website or other desktop publishing websites.