How to Create a Custom Template in Google Docs

Parth Shah is an evergreen freelance writer covering how-tos, app guides, comparisons, listicles, and troubleshooting guides on Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and smart TV platforms. He has over five years of experience and has covered 1,500+ articles on GuidingTech and Android Police. In his free time, you will see him binge-watching Netflix shows, reading books, and traveling. Learn about our Tech Review Board

Paurush dabbles around iOS and Mac while his close encounters are with Android and Windows. Before becoming a writer, he produced videos for brands like Mr. Phone and Digit. On weekends, he is a full-time cinephile trying to reduce his never-ending watchlist, often making it longer. Learn about our Tech Review Board

• Using templates, one can quickly create a professional-looking flyer, business letter, company pad, brochure, and more.
• To create a new template, tap the Plus icon > Choose blank canvas > Give your template a name.
• Click on File > Page setup > Choose a background color. Then, go to Insert and choose what to add to your template.

How to Create Custom Template in Google Docs

First, you need to make up your mind on how you want to create a template in Google Docs. You can either start using the blank document or select a beautiful template and make necessary changes to it. We will talk about both the methods here.

Let’s create a template using a blank canvas. Follow the steps below.

Step 1: Visit Google Docs on the web.

Step 2: Tap on the Plus icon and then choose blank canvas.

Step 3: Give the template a relevant name.

Now, let’s design a template with relevant details.

Add a Background Color

If you are not a fan of the boring Google Docs background, you can change it to your preferred color. Go through the steps below to change the background color in Google Docs. If you are fine with the white background, then skip this section.

Step 1: Click on File > Page Setup.

Step 2: Expand the color picker underneath Page Color.

Step 3: Select the color that you want from the presets provided.

Select Custom if you want to fine-tune your color selection. You can also add a hexadecimal color code to get the exact background color that you want.

You can also click Set as Default if you want to set the selected color to apply to new documents automatically. That will not affect older documents—you must manually change the color on each of them if you have to.

Add Text, Company Logo, and Horizontal Lines

You can use Title, Subtitle, Heading 1/2/3, and then add relevant details to the document. I have added the company name, tagline, and address. So I don’t have to deal with them again.

Step 1: Tap on the Insert menu, select Image > Upload from Computer. Add the company logo and keep it at a preferable place. I have kept it at the upper right corner.

Step 2: To add horizontal lines, select Insert > Horizontal line. It gives a nice layout break to a document.

Now, you can add a common text to a Google Docs document. For example, you can write the company’s common guidelines, rules, and some onboarding details.

Use a Third-Party Template

The way mentioned above is the straightforward trick to create a custom template on Google Docs. You can also opt for a third-party template and then make minor changes to it. Let me show you an example.

In the image below, I downloaded the Sale template for Google Docs. Opened the document in the app and made relevant changes such as Company name, address, Email, and Phone number.

Now, I can save the template and then from the next time, I only need to change minor details such as sale items, discount rate, sale name, and more. In a matter of minutes, I have a ready-to-go flyer to send for printing.

Save and Reuse Google Docs Templates

After making necessary changes, tap on the move folder menu and save the template in a Google Drive folder. Now, remember that this is your main template file in Google Docs. You shouldn’t make any changes to the original file.

Whenever you want to use the template to create a quick document, then follow the steps below.

Step 1: Visit Google Drive on the web and then find the template that you want to use.

Step 2: Open the template in Google Docs.

Step 3: Don’t make any change now as it will mess up the original custom document.

Step 4: Instead, tap on File > Make a copy and then save it in Google Drive.

Now go ahead, and edit the necessary details in the template, and you are good to go.