Creating and Changing Default and Custom Templates

When you open a new document with File - New, a blank document appears based on a $[officename] template. You can edit, modify, or replace this template so that the new document contains your customized Styles or other contents. You can define document templates for each $[officename] application.

Creating a Default Template

First, open either an existing $[officename] template and modify it, or open a new document and edit it as necessary to create the desired template. Save the document by choosing File - Templates - Save as Template, then enter the template name, click the Set as default template checkbox, and save in the My Templates category. The next time you open a new text document, the new document will be based on this new default template.

Modifying a Default Template

Choose File - Templates - Manage Templates. Use Filter to select the type of document. The default template is marked with a green check mark. Right-click that template and choose Edit. Make desired changes, choose File - Save, and close the document. When you open a new document, the modified default template will be used. %PRODUCTNAME provides built-in presentation templates, which cannot be edited, renamed, or deleted. To modify a built-in presentation template, open a document using the template, modify, then save as a new template. %PRODUCTNAME provides built-in templates for Writer, which cannot be edited, renamed, or deleted. To modify a built-in template, open a document using the template, modify, then save as a new template.

Setting a Template as Default

Right-click on template to be made default, choose Set as Default.

Creating a Custom Template

Choose File - Templates - Save As Template, then enter the template name, choose a Template category, and save.

Modifying a Custom Template

Right-click on the template to be modified, and choose Edit.

Saving a Template in the Template Folder

You can save any document as a template by selecting "Template" file type in the Save dialog. To access the template from the Template Manager, save the template in the User Paths directory specified for Templates in %PRODUCTNAME - PreferencesTools - Options - %PRODUCTNAME - Paths. It is often easier to save a document with File - Templates - Save As Template, because it automatically places the template in the appropriate directory. The Template Manager is the preferred method for working with templates. File - New - Templates and File - Templates - Manage Templates are equivalent for opening the Template Manager. CommandCtrl+Shift+N is the predefined shortcut key.