---
title: "How to create a template in Google Docs"
description: "Here's how to create a template in Google Docs. Plus, how to find and use premade templates in Google Docs."
image: "https://images.ctfassets.net/lzny33ho1g45/5LgNoaJ8dOotOnBwEUR1js/a86173ff0fc1bd01d74becc48afa9b8d/google-docs-hero-neutral.png"
---

# How to create a template in Google Docs

Here's how to create a template in Google Docs. Plus, how to find and use premade templates in Google Docs.

[Google Docs](https://zapier.com/blog/how-to-use-google-docs/) comes with a handful of templates, but they're limited to things like book reports, basic business letters, and—surprisingly—a pet resume. But what if you're _not_ looking to write a 10-page dissertation on why _The Giving Tree _by Shel Silverstein is the most depressing children's book on the planet? And your beloved pet chinchilla only needs so many resumes… 

Here, I'll show you how to create your own template in Google Docs, so you can have it at the ready for any documents you need to write on a regular basis.

**Table of contents**: 

- [How to use a premade template in Google Docs](#use-premade-templates)
- [How to create a template in Google Docs with a Google Workspace account](#google-workspace-account)
- [How to create a template in Google Docs with a personal Google account](#personal-google-account)
- [How to create a fillable template in Google Docs](#fillable)
- [Autopopulate your Google Docs templates with Zapier](#autopopulate)

## How to use a premade template in Google Docs 

When you're crunched for time—or, in my case, creativity—using an existing Google Docs template can be really handy. Here's how to find those premade templates. 

1. From your suite of Google apps, which can be found in your Google home screen, choose **Docs**. Or go directly to docs.google.com.

2. Select **Template gallery **to view Google's assortment of premade templates.

If you can't find _Template gallery, _select the **menu icon** (`≡`) in the top-left corner of the Google Docs home screen > **Settings **> **Display recent templates on home screens **> **OK.**
3. Select a template from the gallery.
4. Edit the template as needed.

## How to create a template in Google Docs with a Google Workspace account 

If Google's premade templates just aren't cutting it and you have a Google Workspace account, you can also create a brand new template. 

1. From the [Google Docs home page](https://docs.google.com/), under _Start a new document, _select **Blank. **Or, if you have an existing document you'd like to turn into a template, copy and paste it into a new document, and save it under a unique title. You'll need this later.

2. Create your new template.

Google Docs doesn't include placeholders for the text or images you'll replace when using the template. Instead, you can type something you'll remember to replace—perhaps `XX` for dates or `NAME` for a spot where you'll type a name. (`TK` is another popular one since it's an uncommon combination of letters, so it's easy to search for.)
3. Save the document with a unique title.
4. From the Google Docs home screen, select **Template gallery **> [your organization's name] > **Submit template**. Note: You can submit a template only if you have permission from your organization to modify the sharing settings of your template.

5. In the _Submit a template_ window that appears, click **Select a document **> choose the desired template > click **Open.**

6. Back in the _Submit a template _window_, _you'll also need to select a category for your file. Click **Submit.**

To find your new template, go to **Template gallery** > [your organization's name].

You're all set. 

## How to create a template in Google Docs with a personal Google account

If you have a personal Google account—not a Google Workspace account for organizations—you can't save your Google Docs as an "official" template, but you _can_ get creative. 

1. Create your document as if it's a template, and save it with a unique title. For example, Template: Weekly to-do list.
2. When you need to use the template, open the file from your Google Drive.
3. Click **File **> **Make a copy.**

4. Rename the document, store it in the appropriate folder, and click **Make a copy. **

That's it. Just repeat those steps every time you need to use your makeshift template. To streamline the process of creating and editing templates, check out [how to use variables in Google Docs](https://zapier.com/blog/google-docs-variables/). 

## How to create a fillable template in Google Docs

It's not as easy to create a fillable template in Google Docs as it is in, say, [Adobe](https://zapier.com/blog/how-to-make-a-pdf-fillable/), but there are some workarounds that can make your Google Docs template feel a little more professional:

- **Tables.** If you need space for a long answer, create a 1x1 table (_Insert > Table > 1x1_), and then drag the edges to make it the size you want.
- **Che****ckboxes**. [Checkboxes](https://zapier.com/blog/checkbox-google-docs/) feel much more official than having someone type yes or no.
- **Dropdowns**. If you have set options to choose from, you can create a dropdown menu (_Insert > Smart chips > Dropdown > New dropdown_). You'll input all the potential choices and color-code them.
- **Variables**. [Variables](https://zapier.com/blog/google-docs-variables/) let you add a piece of information once and include it in multiple spots. So instead of making someone insert their name a dozen times, they can add it one time, and it'll populate everywhere you've put the variable.
- **Signature fields**. It's easy to [add a signature in Google Docs](https://zapier.com/blog/google-docs-signature/), but you can actually add official signature fields to your template. If you have a paid Workspace account, you can then send the doc out for signature like a lightweight [eSignature app](https://zapier.com/blog/best-digital-signature-apps/).

In the end, your fillable template might look something like this.

## Autopopulate your Google Docs templates with Zapier 

Some templates are chock-full of TK fields that need to be filled out. And if your templates are so critical that you can't risk inputting information incorrectly, you'll want to automate the process.

With Zapier, you can [connect Google Docs](https://zapier.com/apps/google-docs/integrations) to thousands of other apps. This way, you can do things like [automatically populate your template](https://zapier.com/blog/create-autopopulate-google-docs-template/) with info from a spreadsheet or form. You can also layer in AI, so instead of just pulling raw data into your document, AI can structure, format, or rewrite information before it ever hits your template.

Here are a few ideas to get you started, or you can learn more about [how to automate Google Docs](https://zapier.com/blog/automate-google-docs/).

**Related reading**: 

- [How to create effective document templates](https://zapier.com/blog/how-to-make-document-template/)
- [How to add a signature in Google Docs](https://zapier.com/blog/google-docs-signature/)
- [How to add, view, and print comments in Google Docs](https://zapier.com/blog/how-to-use-google-docs-comments/)
- [Google Docs formatting tricks to make your files pretty](https://zapier.com/blog/google-docs-formatting-tips/)
- [How to open a PDF in Google Docs](https://zapier.com/blog/pdf-to-google-docs)

_This article was originally published in May 2017 by Matthew Guay. The most recent update was in September 2025._